Alcoholic Dependence Linked With Delayed Reproductive Onset in Women

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Title: Alcoholic Dependence Linked With Delayed Reproductive Onset in Women
URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/229856.htm
Doctor's Guide
August 20, 2008

BOSTON -- August 20, 2008 -- Alcohol use during the teen years can not only lead to subsequent alcohol problems, it can also lead to risky sexual behaviour and a greater risk of early childbearing, according to a study published early online and in the November issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.

An examination of the relationship between a lifetime history of alcohol dependence (AD) and timing of first childbirth across reproductive development has found that AD in women is associated with delayed reproduction.

"Reproductive dysfunctions include a range of menstrual disorders, sexual dysfunctions, and pregnancy complications that include spontaneous abortion or miscarriage," said corresponding author Mary Waldron, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri. "Teenagers who drink tend to have disruptions in their menstrual cycle as well as unplanned pregnancies."

These complications may become more pronounced with time, added Sharon C. Wilsnack, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Grand Forks, North Dakota.

"Higher rates of reproductive dysfunction in adult women may reflect the cumulative effects of longer exposure to alcohol for older women than for female adolescents."

Waldron and colleagues analysed data gathered on 2 groups of Australian twins born between 1893 and 1964 (3,634 female and 1,880 male twins) and 1964 and 1971 (3,381 female and 2,748 male twins).

Control variables included sociodemographic characteristics, regular smoking, history of psychopathology, and family and childhood risks.

Results indicated delayed reproductive onset among alcoholic women in both groups, with little to no effect observed among men.

"To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine alcohol's effects on reproductive onset across reproductive development," said Waldron. "Most previous research has examined risks to teens or adults but not both."

"Our findings highlight a risk associated with AD in women that is not widely recognised -- a risk that has assumed increasing importance given the increased rates of alcohol misuse by women and particularly young women."

Both Waldron and Wilsnack said the smaller effects on reproduction found among men may be due to the fact that women reach higher blood alcohol concentrations than men while consuming similar amounts of alcohol, which may contribute to a stronger link between drinking and reproductive problems in women.

It may also be, added Wilsnack, that research demonstrating detrimental effects of alcohol use on male reproduction is not as extensive and consistent as research linking alcohol use to female reproductive dysfunction.

"Young women who drink alcohol may want to consider the longer-term consequences for later childbearing," cautioned Waldron. "If drinking continues or increases to levels of problem use, their ability and/or opportunity to have children may be impaired."

"For women who are already experiencing fertility problems or other reproductive difficulties, the study's findings should warn them not to use alcohol to cope with stress caused by the reproductive problems, because alcohol would likely make the reproductive problems worse as well as carrying risks of possible alcohol abuse or dependence," said Wilsnack.

SOURCE: Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research

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