Caffeine: Does it affect your fertility?

Caffeine: Does it affect your fertility?
Approved by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board




By the BabyCenter editorial staff

• Does caffeine affect fertility?
• How much caffeine is in my favorite foods and beverages?
• Related Links


Does caffeine affect fertility?
The evidence is mixed. Some studies appear to link a high amount of caffeine consumption — more than 300 mgs a day — to a delay in conceiving. But low to moderate amounts of caffeine consumption — less than 300 mgs a day or the equivalent of three cups of coffee — don't appear to reduce a woman's chances of getting pregnant, according to a 2001 report from the Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction at the National Institutes of Health.

To be safe, it's probably wise to limit your caffeine intake to less than 300 mg a day. Your doctor or midwife may advise you to stick to one cup of brewed coffee a day (about 100 mg) or to cut out caffeine completely. Caffeine has no nutritional value and can inhibit your body's ability to absorb iron and calcium — important nutrients for a healthy pregnancy. There's also some evidence that heavy coffee consumption — between four and seven cups a day — can raise your risk of miscarriage or stillbirth.

If you decide to cut out caffeine, ease off slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, lethargy, and headaches. And remember: Caffeine shows up in lots of things besides coffee: tea, sodas, chocolate, cocoa, and some over-the-counter medications.

How much caffeine is in my favorite foods and beverages?
Caffeine is a common ingredient in food so getting a big dose is easier than you might think. This chart highlights just a few foods, drinks, and drugs that contain the stimulant.

Item Amount Caffeine
Diner coffee 8 ounces 350 mg
Gourmet coffee 8 ounces 175 mg
Brewed coffee 5 ounces 105 to 115 mg
Espresso single 100 mg
Cappuccino single 100 mg
Instant coffee 6 ounces 57 mg
Decaffeinated coffee 5 ounces 5 mg
Brewed tea 6 ounces 20 to 110 mg
Iced Tea 12 ounces 70 mg
Instant Tea 7 ounces 30 mg
Cola 1 12-ounce can 30 to 56 mg
Diet cola 1 12-ounce can 38 to 45 mg
Non-cola 1 12-ounce can 54 mg
Sprite and 7-Up 1 12-ounce can 0 mg
Chocolate 2 ounces 10 to 50 mg
Cocoa 1 5-ounce cup 4 mg
Diet pills (such as Dexatrim) 1 100 to 200 mg
No-Doz 1 100 to 200 mg
Pain relievers
(such as Anacin, Excedrin) 1 30 mg and up

Re: Caffeine: Does it affect your fertility?

Thanks for the tips.

Re: Caffeine: Does it affect your fertility?

It makes me feel a lot better that Diet Coke is only 38 mg. I was wondering how I am going to give up alcohol and Diet coke when we decide to TTC

Re: Caffeine: Does it affect your fertility?

Has anyone ever or ever tried to give up coffee completely? I tried it once and I had a migrane for about 3 days!!! It was terrible!! I have limited myself to one cup of coffee in the morning, I dont think I will be able to give that up...

ETA - thank you again Shamma! You are full of such great information!