Are you craving alcohol during periods? Every time, then you need to put an end card. Whether it is your period or not, drinking alcohol is completely unsafe and unhealthy. Your period cycle is highly influenced by internal factors such as hormonal fluctuations and external factors including diet, lifestyle habits, and alcohol.
Do you know continuous consumption of alcohol can even affect pregnancy? Yeah, it can, keep exploring this article to know the physiological impact of alcohol during menstruation.
Can a woman drink alcohol during a menstrual period?
No, consuming alcohol during a menstrual period is not a good thing, even though a glass or a sip will not do any harm, drinking alcohol is not preferred. But, why a woman shouldn’t drink alcohol during periods? Because consuming it can effectively cause so many changes in their body, here is what they can expect.
What can you expect if you drink alcohol during periods?
Severe cramps
Consuming alcohol can disrupt regular body functions, resulting in several changes in the hormones, water levels, and nutrition in the body. Such changes can affect regular blood flow and make the cramps even more severe. Some studies also show that alcohol can be a reason for missed or delayed periods.
Does alcohol delay your periods?
Yes, alcohol can impact your periods and delay the due date. It happens when this blood thinner disrupts the hormone levels in your body. Therefore, drinking alcohol can result in irregular or missed periods. As a caring woman, be responsible for yourself and avoid drinking alcohol at least during periods.
Dehydration
Alcohol dehydrates the body more than you think, which lowers your appetite and creates an urge for frequent urination, so your body loses vital fluid and electrolytes. Drinking alcohol during periods can cause dehydration, which worsens the period symptoms like fatigue, headaches, and cramps.
In addition, it can thicken the blood and menstrual fluids, making them harder to pass through the cervix. Drinking water is the only thing that improves the flow and keeps you hydrated throughout the cycle.
Nutrient depletion
Typically, women’s bodies tend to lose some key nutrients during periods, and consuming alcohol will make it even worse. Consuming alcohol affects nutrient absorption and depletes the essential minerals and vitamins from your body, leading to dizziness.
Hormonal imbalances
Alcohol is well-known for its ability to cause hormonal fluctuations. It also almost affect every hormone such as estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones, serotonin, insulin, prolactin, and others. Plus, it can affect the communication between ovaries and brain, and negatively affect the release of hormones that are crucial for regular periods.
How does alcohol affect hormones in a woman’s body?
This is how alcohol consumption affects every important hormone in the woman’s body.
- Estrogen: Alcohol disrupts estrogen balance, leading to hormonal issues that increase the risk of reproductive disorders.
- Insulin: Alcohol disrupts insulin regulation, increasing diabetes risk, which promotes weight gain and metabolic diseases.
- Thyroid Hormones: Alcohol harms thyroid function, causing fatigue and weight gain, leading to long-term metabolic disorders.
- Prolactin: Heavy drinking raises prolactin, affecting fertility and causing menstrual problems and hormonal imbalances.
- Progesterone: Chronic alcohol lowers progesterone, causing menstrual irregularities. It can make conception difficult.
- Cortisol: Alcohol spikes cortisol, triggering stress and anxiety. Over time, it weakens mental and physical health.
Is it possible to stop alcohol cravings during periods?
Yeah, trying some alternatives can effectively help to manage alcohol cravings. Focus on improving the good gut bacteria to control unwanted sweet and junk food cravings.
You can do it by adding more veggies, whole grains, fruits, nuts, and healthy homemade foods. Instead of solid foods, you can also try some fluids to satisfy your taste buds.
What can I drink during periods?
Cutting off bad habits is tougher than you think, but it is not impossible. Women who are alcoholics and have junk food cravings can try these fluids as alternatives to help regulate their menstrual period. During their monthly due, women should prioritize drinking water and tender coconut, which help keep the body hydrated throughout the day.
Other than this, women can try fresh fruit and nut smoothies, fruit juice particularly pineapple juice, ginger water, herbal tea, and carrot juice. It’s also beneficial to drink milk during periods, as it helps maintain hydration, supports bone health, and provides essential nutrients that can ease discomfort during menstruation.
Final words
In the end, even though moderate intake might not have long-term effects, excessive drinking can disrupt hormonal balance, menstrual regularity, and overall well-being. Opting for healthier alternatives can help manage period symptoms more effectively.
Still, feeling helpless? Then, you can consider the help of your healthcare provider who can guide you through the next steps.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, drinking alcohol during periods can contribute to various problems in your body including hormonal imbalances, rise of cortisol levels, dehydration, and more, resulting in heavy blood flow during menstruation. Hence, whether you’re on your period or not, avoid alcohol to improve fertility health.
Cutting off fluids that are high in sugar, caffeine, and alcohol is the primary thing you need to do for enhanced reproductive health. Women can avoid sodas, carbonated beverages, packed fruit juice, and caffeine to regulate menstrual cycle and blood flow during periods.
Yes, which means there is a chance of affecting pregnancy. Continuous consumption of alcohol can have long-term side effects on heart health and blood pressure. Such things can be dangerous and could impact your pregnancy.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriages and can cause premature birth, low birth weight, and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Keeping alcohol away is way more important when trying to conceive to achieve optimal pregnancy results
Yes, alcohol consumption affects the uterus lining and implantation ability of the embryo for a successful pregnancy. So, try to avoid alcohol not only during periods and pregnancy but also throughout life.
