Aspirin and conception...

A study presented in the US on Wednesday suggests that taking a low dose of aspirin daily can help women, particularly those who have miscarried, get pregnant.

According to Medical News Today, research presented at the American Society of Reproductive Medicine’s (ASRM’s) annual meeting found that taking 81mg of aspirin daily may boost a woman’s likelihood of conception by reducing systemic inflammation, making the womb a safer environment for the embryo to grow.

BOOST CHANCES

The study by researchers from the University of Utah and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, both in the US, involved 1,228 women aged 18 to 40 who had experienced miscarriage in the past year. All of the participants had systemic inflammation.

Compared with women who did not take aspirin daily, those who took 81mg of the drug each day were 17 per cent more likely to become pregnant and nearly 20 per cent more likely to have a successful birth.

Dr Richard Poulson, vice president of ASRM, which was not involved in the study, and lecturer of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Southern California in the US, suggested that aspirin boosts the chances of conception by increasing blood flow to the pelvis and thickening the lining of the womb, making it easier for the embryo to implant.

He said that any woman trying for a baby, particularly those undergoing fertility treatment, should take low-dose aspirin daily to boost their chances of conception.

He stated: “Unless they are allergic or have a gastric condition, I would certainly advise them to take it, there is no harm. Many people use it routinely, including in our clinics. We have been doing this for many years”.

However, many health experts say that there is insufficient evidence to suggest that all women should take aspirin regularly to increase their chances of getting pregnant, according to Medical News Today. They note that the drug can produce a number of side effects, such as internal bleeding.