Thanh An
Taking low-dose aspirin daily could help women become pregnant, particularly those who have previously miscarried. This is according to new research presented today at the American Society of Reproductive Medicine Annual Meeting in Baltimore, MD.
Researchers from the University of Utah and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) suggest that taking just 81 mg of aspirin daily may boost a woman's likelihood of conception by reducing systemic inflammation, improving the environment in which an embryo grows.
Aspirin is a salicylate drug commonly used to reduce fever, inflammation and relieve minor aches and pains. It is also increasingly used as an anti-platelet medication to reduce the likelihood of heart attack and stroke among individuals at high risk.
There has been much focus on the potential health benefits of aspirin in recent months. One study reported by Medical News Today suggested the drug may double the likelihood of survival for patients with gastrointestinal cancers, while another study suggested daily aspirin may help prevent breast cancer.
Now, new research suggests improvements in fertility could be added to the growing list of benefits regular aspirin use may bring.
Daily low-dose aspirin increased conception chances by 17%The new study involved 1,228 women aged 18-40 who had experienced miscarriage in the past 12 months. All women had systemic inflammation.
Compared with women who did not take aspirin daily, those who took 81 mg of the drug each day were 17% more likely to become pregnant and almost 20% more likely to have a successful birth.
The researchers suggest that daily aspirin reduces systemic inflammation, making the womb a safer environment for the embryo to grow.
Fast facts about fertility
- Making certain lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake, can increase a woman's chances of conception
- Previous studies have linked high intake of caffeine with delayed conception
- Increasing physical activity and adopting a healthy diet can increase the likelihood of conception.
Learn more about boosting fertility
According to Prof. Richard Poulson - vice preside