Sleeping poorly is common during menopause, and alcohol consumption compounds this problem. Frequent drinking may increase your risk for central (abdominal) obesity, which is a major factor in the development of heart disease. For the last few years, she decided to only drink on the weekends. But then, she realized that her whole weekend revolved around drinking and then recovering from drinking.
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Link Between Alcohol and Vasomotor Symptoms
A 2020 study also shows that heavy drinking is on the rise in both women and older adults. Those who drink heavily are also more likely to experience falls that contribute to an increased risk of broken bones. While you might have heard that moderate drinking may have benefits, the CDC indicates that even this may have risks. However, clinical trials that look at the effects of beer consumption on menopausal women are needed. It’s also possible that nonalcoholic beer may provide similar benefits. For Natasha, “getting off booze” was just part of the formula for feeling her best during menopause.
Certain substances, such as alcohol, can raise overall body temperature and propel the body into the onset of menopausal hot flashes. In order to avoid suffering, women should moderate their alcoholic intake, especially during the menopausal years. In summary, the link between alcohol and vasomotor symptoms varies greatly depending on individual circumstances such as hormonal status and overall health.
If you still have your uterus, your doctor might prescribe treatment with estrogen and progesterone. This is called combination hormone therapy (HT) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It helps with hot flashes and night sweats, as well as help prevent osteoporosis. Heavy alcohol use is linked to higher rates of depression at all ages, with menopausal women being particularly vulnerable. The negative impact on mental health can create a cycle where emotional distress prompts increased alcohol consumption, further aggravating symptoms.
Recommendations for Menopausal Women
- This process increases blood flow to the skin, causing feelings of warmth and perspiration.
- As you age, the liver becomes less efficient at metabolizing alcohol and may eliminate it more slowly from our body.
- Understanding the relationship between alcohol and menopausal symptoms is crucial for navigating this life stage.
- Hot flashes can vary in length, frequency, and severity for each woman.
Relief from hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, mood swings and sexual changes can be hard to come by. Research shows that a growing number of post-menopausal women use alcohol to escape the trials of menopause. The hormone shifts of perimenopause can bring about emotional symptoms as well, including mood swings, anxiety and depression. While many may reach for a drink to relax or ease anxiety, alcohol can actually make these symptoms worse. As a depressant, alcohol may cause changes in the brain chemistry that can increase anxiety and take a further emotional toll.
Although moderate consumption may show some benefits for peri-menopausal women, it is important for all women experiencing hot flashes to monitor their alcohol intake closely. For more information on managing alcohol-related issues, see how to wean yourself off alcohol safely and understand the impact of alcohol on overall health. The relationship between alcohol consumption and hot flashes is complex. Research indicates that alcohol can act as both a trigger and a mitigator for these symptoms in different circumstances. It has been observed that alcohol consumption patterns are linked to an increased risk of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) in premenopausal women. A study highlighted that avoiding alcohol may help prevent bothersome VMS in this population 1.
Impact on body temperature regulation
Hot flashes, vaginal dryness, sleep problems, and other symptoms are common in this stage. Women should prioritize their health and well-being through lifestyle adjustments. For those seeking alternatives to manage their symptoms, exploring healthy addictions can provide additional support. Learn all about hot flashes after hysterectomy as well as treatment for hot flashes after hysterectomy here. “Though alcohol can feel sedating, it can also interfere with your sleep cycle and dream (REM) sleep so that you wake feeling less rested,” says Prof Kulkarni.
How does alcohol affect menopause and perimenopause?
Though alcohol can make you feel sleepy, the quality of sleep may be sub-optimal. With more night-time wakings or the inability to fall asleep, it can leave you over-tired the next day and more prone to irritability or impaired thinking. The consequences of alcohol consumption extend beyond immediate effects, demonstrating a broad range of health risks. Awareness of these risks can help individuals make informed choices about their alcohol consumption habits. For guidance on safe practices, including how to wean yourself off alcohol safely, consider reaching out for support or resources. Managing the causes and triggers of hot flashes can significantly improve quality of life for individuals experiencing them.
Moreover, alcohol’s effect on blood vessels can cause mood swings and heightened emotional responses. If you can’t or don’t want to take hormones, other medications can ease symptoms. They include antidepressants, antiseizure drugs, or blood pressure medications to help with hot flashes and mood swings. The drug fezolinetant (Veozah) is a non-hormonal medicine that reduces hot flashes and night sweats.
- The negative impact on mental health can create a cycle where emotional distress prompts increased alcohol consumption, further aggravating symptoms.
- She also credits hormone replacement therapy, exercise (she started weight lifting for the first time last year), and good nutrition (she says eating some of the same foods on rotation helps her eat healthy more consistently).
- “Some women also find that they handle spirits better than wine at this stage of life,” says Dr Khan.
- You can try topical estrogen, lubricants, and non-estrogen prescriptions for dryness and painful sex.
And past research shows that booze can play a role in heart disease, dementia, and hundreds of other diseases as well as weight gain and sleep issues. In colder conditions, excessive alcohol consumption can pose additional risks, such as hypothermia, as it can lower the body’s core temperature while increasing susceptibility to cooling factors in the environment 5. Understanding these interactions between alcohol consumption and body temperature regulation is vital for managing symptoms, especially for those experiencing menopause-related hot flashes.
You could consider a DNA test which can let you know how well you metabolize alcohol, or look at whether you or someone in your family has fatty liver disease or diabetes, for example. “If you already have issues like that, then drinking’s going to be even doubly bad,” Dr. Kwolek says. The options these days for non-alcoholic and low-alcoholic beverages abound—and Dr. Kwolek says finding a substitute for your go-to cocktail or glass of wine can be helpful.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Drug & Alcohol Rehab?
The only way to check for this is through a Pap-like smear, but it’s rarely done. As this happens, you might have urinary incontinence, painful sex, a low can alcohol make your hot flashes feel worse during menopause sex drive, and vaginal itching. Once that happens, you’ll be referred to as postmenopausal for the rest of your life. Keep in mind that after more than 1 year of no menstrual periods due to menopause, vaginal bleeding isn’t normal, so tell your doctor if you have any ASAP.
Dr. Kwolek also says that it’s important to take a “hard look” at your relationship with alcohol and whether or not you need or want to cut back. It may be helpful to go as far as doing a therapy appointment to work through some questions and answers about how you feel during and after drinking, or journaling about it. This way, you say or read your answers directly, which can help give them weight and help you make a different choice. Keep reading for more information on the alcohol-menopause connection, plus advice from doctors and real women for changing your relationship with booze in midlife. Prescription and OTC medication for vaginal dryness and sleep problems.
