What effect could alcohol have on my body?

Alcohol affects many organs in the body. Even a small amount of alcohol can be harmful to health. For that reason, the more you can reduce how much alcohol you consume, the fewer health risks related to alcohol you’ll experience. If you’re thinking about getting pregnant, it’s best if you can reduce your use of alcohol to none.

Following Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health can reduce the risk of developing long-term health problems, including:

• at least seven types of cancers, including breast cancer, colon cancer, cancers of the rectum, mouth and throat, liver, esophagus and larynx.  
• heart disease and stroke
• liver disease

Drinking less can also decrease your risk of injury and violence.

Alcohol can also affect a person’s menstrual cycle. This can include irregular periods and changes when menopause starts (ending of the menstrual cycle). The amount of alcohol that can cause problems can be different for different people. The more alcohol that you use and the more often you drink, the higher your risk. 

Alcohol can affect a person’s ability to get an erection and affect their sperm. The amount of alcohol that can cause problems can be different for different people. However, the more alcohol you use, the higher your risks. 

Drinking less is better for your health. Reducing how much you drink helps to improve your health.

If you’re planning a pregnancy, stopping alcohol use will improve the baby’s health and well-being. If you are finding it difficult to stop drinking, any reduction in how much alcohol you have will benefit the pregnancy. 

Strategies and suggestions for support are provided in the questions in this section. You can also talk with your health care provider for more information.