Most ladies are wary of getting pregnant out of wedlock, at least in Nigeria, and they will do anything to stop that from happening – one of which is the use using and believing that whisky prevents pregnancy. Although this may seem possible to some who have heard of the dangers of consuming alcohol during pregnancy, it isn’t to others.
Pregnancy occurs when one or more mature egg or ova, from the ovaries of a woman, moves through the fallopian tube, and into the uterus, to be fertilized by a mature and healthy sperm cell, after which it implants into the uterine wall for its establishment, growth, and development. The prevention of the fertilization process either by preventing the contact of mature ova with healthy sperm cells, or the destruction of the sperm cells before they meet the mature ova, is called contraception.
Quick Facts About Contraceptive
| A | B |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To prevent unintended pregnancy |
| Types | Oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUDs), spermicidal cream, condoms, diaphragm, cervical cap, emergency contraception pills (ECP) |
| Effectiveness | Varies by method, with some being highly effective and others less so |
| Safety | Generally safe, but some methods may have side effects |
| Side Effects | Varies by method, but may include irregular bleeding, headaches, and mood changes |
| Benefits | Reduces unintended pregnancies and maternal mortality. Some methods can help regulate menstrual cycles, reduce the risk of certain medical conditions, and protect against sexually transmitted infections |
| Importance | Plays a crucial role in women's reproductive health and overall well-being |
| Challenges | Misinformation, stigma, and lack of access can hinder contraceptive use |
| Availability | Available over-the-counter, with a prescription, or at a health center |
| Cost | The cost of contraceptives can vary depending on the type of contraceptive you choose, and the pharmacy where you purchase it. However, it typically ranges from as low as; • 700 NGN - to as high as 800,000 NGN • 1.00 USD - to as high as 2,000.00 USD • 1.00 EUR - to as high as 1848.02 EUR • 1.00 GBP - to as high as 1583.58 GBP • 7.14 CNY - to as high as 14272.40 CNY |
In this article, we will answer the question, “Can whisky prevent pregnancy?” and discuss how this is a myth. We will also briefly talk about the recommended contraceptives that are available and what you can use in case you need emergency contraceptives.
What are Contraceptives?
Contraceptives are physical materials used to prevent fertilization of reproductive cells, thus preventing the occurrence of pregnancy. They can be objects, such as condoms, that prevent the entry of semen into the vagina by collecting them in its hollow part, or creams, as in spermicides, that kill the quality of sperm cells in the semen, making them unable to fertilize a mature ovum, if they come in contact with one.
Using contraceptives are the most effective ways of preventing pregnancies in the world. Before the advent of condoms and spermicidal creams, people have used herbs and concoctions to prevent pregnancies. However, some people, even today, use materials that are questionable, such as whisky, as contraceptives.
While alcohol, like whisky, is dangerous to the fetus in a uterus, it does not influence the possibility of a sperm cell fertilizing a mature and healthy ovum.
How Does Alcohol Work in the Human Body – The Truth vs The Myth
Alcohol’s action in the human body, regardless of gender is the same. It spreads through the body the same way any other food nutrient does, through the blood stream. This sis why you will feel its effect quickly than solid foods that needs to be processed first.
Quick Facts on Whether Whiskey Can Prevent Pregnancy
| A | B |
|---|---|
| Myth | Consuming whiskey can prevent pregnancy |
| Truth | Consuming whiskey does not prevent pregnancy |
| Explanation | Alcohol, including whiskey, does not have spermicidal properties, meaning it does not kill sperm. Sperm can still survive and travel to the egg for fertilization, even if a man has consumed alcohol |
| Additional Consideration | Consuming alcohol while trying to conceive can have negative effects on both male and female fertility. Alcohol can disrupt hormone levels, interfere with ovulation, and reduce sperm quality. It can also increase the risk of miscarriage and fetal alcohol syndrome |
When you swallow alcohol, it ends up in the stomach, and because of its large surface area and light nature, it is processed fast, unless there is food in the stomach, which delays its passage in the intestines. However, it is eventually passed into the bloodstream, which spreads it throughout the body in no time.
It continues to pervade the body until the liver gradually filters it off the blood and breaks it down into water, carbon dioxide, and energy. The next organ to work on the blood is kidney, removing excess water from it, as produced during alcohol breakdown by the liver, and helping to produce urine from them.
The alcohol in the blood can pass from the mother to the child in the uterus because they share a link, the placenta. While the mother may be able to process alcohol and expel it from her body, the fetus is unable to do so, and this can lead to the loss of fetus or congenital abnormalities. However, this only affects fetuses, that is when the fertilized ovum has been implanted and established in the uterus.
Does Whisky affect Semen?
Since whisky prevent pregnancies for some people, as they claim, it should have some effect on the semen that has gained access into their uterus. The link between the uterus and the fetus, that is, the placenta does not appear until an embryo is formed and it grows into a fetus. Its purpose is to share nutrition from the mother to the child, therefore sperm cells already in the uterus do not come in contact with the whisky you drink after having unprotected sex.
Although consuming alcohol in large quantity is linked to negatively affecting the health of male fertility, it does not kill sperm cells; it only makes them weak by reducing their motility, altering their shape, and reducing semen volume.
Despite this, it takes consistently consuming 15 drinks and above of alcohol weekly, over a period of time before this can happen, and it is specific to men. This should give you a reasonable answer to the question, Can Whisky prevent pregnancy?
Yes, whisky affect semen but it does so when consumed by the man in large quantities, over a period of time. When such man has unprotected sex with a woman, there is every likelihood pregnancy will not occur. However, if the man has healthy semen and the ovum is mature and healthy, conception may occur, all things being equal.
Does Whisky Affect Fertilized Ovum?
Yes, whisky can affect a fertilized ovum. A fertilized ovum implants into the uterine walls and develop into an embryo. However, the development can be incomplete, leading to loss of pregnancy due to prolonged use of pregnancy. Note that this occurs when the woman is a habitual abuser of whisky or any other alcohol. This has caused change in the hormonal balance of the reproductive system, causing it to be unable to sustain life.
This differs from the planned consumption of alcohol to stop the fertilization process after unprotected sex.
Recommended Contraceptives you should consider
While sex is an enjoyable act, it can have consequences you are not ready for, like raising a baby or contracting diseases. To prevent any of the two cases, the use of contraceptive is a wise avenue. Contraceptives that are safe and can be discontinued when you are ready for pregnancy include
- Condoms – for both males and females.
- Spermicidal creams – to kill sperm cells and prevent fertilization
- Intra-Uterine Devices (IUD)
- Pills
There are also medications that serve as emergency contraceptives. You can use them after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancies. However, their efficacy depends on how soon you use them. They include:
- Postinor
- Plan B
- Levonorgestrel
- Ella
Conclusion
Unwanted pregnancies are sometimes a cause for shame but preventing them starts with abstinence, and in other cases, using contraceptives. In some cases, contraceptives may fail, necessitating the need for an emergency contraceptive. However, whisky is not a contraceptive, emergency or not. Although it can affect the hormonal balance of the reproductive system, it does so when there has been a prolonged consumption at high quantities.
Therefore, the question, “Can whisky prevent pregnancy?” has No as its answer. Whiskey cannot prevent pregnancy as a contraceptive. However, it can destroy the development of an embryo and fetus.
Ayomide is a fiction and non-fiction writer. A lover of science and everything mysterious that surrounds it, he seeks out new information to keep his interest alive.
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The content is intended to augment, not replace, information provided by your clinician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Reading this information does not create or replace a doctor-patient relationship or consultation. If required, please contact your doctor or other health care provider to assist you to interpret any of this information, or in applying the information to your individual needs.