Caffeine is a stimulant enjoyed by many parents, mainly through food and drink. There isn’t clear evidence that caffeine has a negative effect on female fertility. However, the World Health Organisation and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that you restrict your intake while trying to conceive. In addition, while there is no clear evidence that caffeine interferes with the success of some assisted reproductive technologies, including IVF, if you are going through fertility treatments, your doctor may also recommend you restrict your intake.

What if I think I’m already pregnant?

Excessive maternal caffeine consumption in pregnancy has been linked to stillbirth, low birth weight, and miscarriage. The NHS recommends mothers-to-be limit their intake to 200 milligrammes a day. This is about two cups of instant coffee.

Research from the Tommy’s Maternal and Foetal Health Research Centre suggests that the risk to a pregnancy increases the more caffeine a mom has, so the UK charity recommends that women minimise the amount they consume even further. As Unii obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr. Shree Datta and host Dr. Saranya Ravindran noted in the Unii Babies Pregnancy podcast episode, there is no established safe amount of caffeine in pregnancy. You need to factor in sources other than coffee while watching your consumption. These can include tea, dark or milk chocolate, Diet Coke, energy drinks, and certain supplements when you are calculating your daily intake. Some painkillers contain caffeine. Some herbal teas can also be quite high in caffeine, such as Matcha and black tea, so always check labels and be mindful of what you consume in a day.

What does research say about caffeine and fertility?

Caffeine is currently not clearly linked to irregular periods, failure to ovulate, and other reproductive health issues that can make it more time-consuming or difficult for you to conceive.

However, good general health is important while trying to conceive, and for this caffeine is a bit of a double-edged sword. While consuming caffeine in moderation appears to be safe for most people, we know that excessive amounts can exacerbate feelings of stress, anxiety, and restlessness. It affects your sleep patterns. As stress and poor sleep can change everything from your food choices to your hormonal balance and energy levels, caffeine can be said to negatively affect fertility in this sense.

Consumed in large amounts, some research suggests that caffeine can inflame fibroids, which in turn affects a woman's ability to conceive. However, it is important to note that caffeine consumption does not increase your risk of developing fibroids to begin with and that, with the right support, fibroids won’t necessarily keep you from getting pregnant.

What is considered an excessive amount of caffeine in your diet when you’re trying to get pregnant?

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, you should limit your caffeine intake to 200 mg or less both if you are pregnant or if you are trying to become pregnant.

What about the male partner’s caffeine intake?

There is no clear evidence that caffeine consumption affects sperm quality or motility. However, there is some evidence that if both partners consume more than 200 mg of caffeine a day while trying to conceive, the miscarriage risk is increased.

Is caffeine affecting my ability to conceive?

How does caffeine affect male and female fertility?