Daily dose of aspirin may increase chances of pregnancy, study suggests

Taking a small amount of a regular aspirin tablet may boost the possibility of getting pregnant, a new US study shows. Researchers from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in Maryland and the University of Utah claim their findings are true even among women who have previously suffered a miscarriage.

Previous research has found that aspirin targets inflammation in the body, providing a safer environment for a growing embryo. The drug is said to increase blood supply to the pelvis, making the womb lining thicker so that embryos can implant more easily.

According to fertility experts, women should consider taking a small amount of aspirin a day, approximately 81 milligrams, to improve their chances of getting pregnant. This is especially true if they have previously struggled to become pregnant, or have lost a lost a child.

To establish the efficacy of aspirin in increasing the chances of pregnancy, the researchers analysed more than 1,200 women who had previously suffered a miscarriage. They discovered that after taking an aspirin, women with high levels of inflammation boosted their chance of pregnancy by 17 per cent. The women’s chances of giving birth to a healthy baby were also noted to rise from 46 to 55 per cent.

The new research was presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine held in Baltimore.

Aspirin, which is derived from willow bark, is often touted as a “miracle drug” because growing evidence shows its health benefits. Recent studies have elevated what used to be known as a daily painkiller to a potent medicine that can protect against stroke, heart attacks and diabetes, as well as lower one’s risk of developing cancers such as in bowel, oesophageal, stomach, prostate and breast.

In a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in September 2014, researchers found that taking low dosage aspirin daily after the third trimester of pregnancy can protect some women from preeclampsia, a condition that can endanger the health of both mother and unborn child. The study supports findings of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which showed that a daily low-dose aspirin could reduce the risk of preeclampsia by 24 per cent in women with a high risk of developing the condition.

Preeclampsia is described as a complex condition affecting pregnant women, that is often manifested by a rise in blood pressure and excess protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The cause of preeclampsia remains unknown, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au or tell us what you think below.