The relationship between alcohol consumption and menstrual cycle: a review of the literature:
Abstract
Alcohol use affects men and women differently, with women being more affected by the health effects of alcohol use (NIAAA, 2011). Yet, a dearth of information investigating the alcohol use in women exists (SAMSHA, 2011). In particular, one dispositional factor hypothesized to contribute to alcohol consumption in women is the menstrual cycle. However, only 13 empirical papers have considered the menstrual cycle as related to alcohol consumption in women. These studies fall out with somewhat mixed findings suggesting that the premenstrual week is associated with increased, decreased, or no change in alcohol consumption, likely due to methodological differences in menstrual cycle determination and measures of alcohol consumption. These methodological differences and possible other contributing factors are discussed here with recommendations for future research in this area. Understanding the contribution of the menstrual cycle to alcohol consumption is one step in addressing an important women’s health concern.
Keywords: Alcohol consumption, Menstrual cycle, Women, Women’s health
Throat cancer is one of the fastest-growing cancers, and it is often linked to HPV. There are three ways to reduce your risks and help prevent head and neck cancer. Learn more: https://t.co/m2IQGxO3Fzpic.twitter.com/H28s0BsZh1
Two friends share laughter and wine during a relaxed evening at home.
Note: While research on alcohol is evolving, the World Health Organization says drinking less or not at all is better for your health.
If you’ve noticed your hair thinning or that you’re losing hair more rapidly, you may be wondering whether your alcohol consumption is to blame. After all, alcohol is tied to a wide range of health issues, from liver disease to nutrient deficiencies and cardiovascular conditions — more than 200 health conditions in all.
[1] Could it also be contributing to your hair loss?
The short answer: Alcohol itself isn’t a direct, proven cause of hair loss. But excessive drinking may contribute to factors that negatively affect hair health, such as nutritional deficiencies, dehydration, hormonal disturbances, and immune system impairment.
[1]
“There’s no direct causal relationship that’s been defined. What we see instead is a suggested link, especially with androgenic alopecia, or pattern hair loss. And it may depend on the type and amount of alcohol consumed,” says Chris Adigun, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Here’s a closer look at what the science says if you’re worried about the potential role of alcohol in your hair health.
Alcohol and Hair Loss: What the Science Shows
Currently, there’s no strong evidence that alcohol directly causes hair loss. But researchers have studied how drinking causes ripple effects on overall health, including indirectly influencing hair loss.
One research review that included 17 studies and more than 61,000 participants — mostly women — found that consuming higher amounts of sugary drinks and alcohol was linked to more hair shedding. The researchers even suggest that limiting alcohol may be beneficial in supporting hair health, though further research is needed to confirm the findings.
[2]
The research review isn’t able to determine the two are linked, but some clear factors are at play, says Julia Zumpano, RD, a registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic’s Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute in Ohio.
“One probable cause could be the role these beverages play in the gut microbiome and nutrient absorption,” Zumpano says.
Excessive drinkers may also eat less nutrient-dense foods and may be deficient in nutrients crucial to hair health, such as vitamin D, iron, protein, and B12, she says. Chronic nutrient deficiency can weaken the hair’s structure and cause thinning.
[3]
Both theories are backed by research. It’s been established that chronic alcohol use is tied to malnutrition via alcohol’s effects on the small intestine’s ability to absorb key nutrients.
[4]
Genetics are another key factor, according to research. One study that looked at more than 1,100 men who were diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia found that regular drinkers had a 61 percent increased risk that their pattern hair loss would advance to moderate or severe stages.
[5]
In this case, the researchers said doctors should consider counselling patients with a genetic predisposition to hair loss to steer away from alcohol as a preventive measure.
[5]
And then there’s the stress on the body that alcohol may cause, Dr. Adigun says. Excessive drinking can disrupt sleep, trigger dehydration, and weaken the immune system, all of which can indirectly affect hair health.
[6]Should You Drink if You Have Hair Loss?
If you’re already dealing with hair thinning or shedding, do you need to stop drinking altogether? The answer depends on how much you drink and your overall health.
Based on the research, if you’re genetically predisposed to hair loss, Adigun suggests limiting alcohol consumption to avoid accelerating the process. “If someone has a family history of androgenic alopecia, for example, adding alcohol as another risk factor is inadvisable if they want to keep their hair,” she says.
But for most adults, moderate drinking — up to one drink per day for women and two for men, according to U.S. dietary guidelines — is unlikely to directly trigger hair loss, Adigun says.
[7]
If you drink excessively, cutting back may support your hair health indirectly by lessening the negative impact on your sleep, immune system, and your ability to absorb nutrients.
The term “excessive drinking” typically refers to binge drinking or heavy drinking. Binge drinking consists of consuming multiple drinks on a single occasion — 4 or more for women, 5 or more for men. Heavy drinking is defined as consuming 8 or more drinks per week for women, or 15 or more for men.
[8]
Your best bet is to meet with a dermatologist, who can help sort out the underlying causes of your hair loss — whether they’re genetic, hormonal, nutritional, or related to other health conditions. A dermatologist can run tests, identify the type of hair loss, and create a treatment approach that may combine medications, supplements, and lifestyle changes.
[9]
“Hair loss doesn’t happen in a vacuum, it’s complex. Alcohol is one piece of the puzzle, but we also need to look at genetics, lifestyle, and other contributing factors,” Adigun says.
Does Alcohol Interact With Hair Loss Medications?
If you’re taking medication for hair loss, you may wonder whether alcohol is safe. Some hair regrowth treatments don’t interact with alcohol, but others may increase your risk of side effects when combined with drinking.
Always ask your doctor or pharmacist before combining the two.
Here’s a look at some common treatments for hair loss and their potential interactions.
Minoxidil (Rogaine)
Topical application of minoxidil has no known alcohol interactions, but oral minoxidil may increase the risk of severe hangovers in people who are drinking heavily while taking the medication.
[10]
[11]
Finasteride (Propecia)
There are no major interactions with alcohol while taking this medication.
[12]
Spironolactone (Aldactone)
This medication is used off-label for female pattern hair loss. While taking it, women should stick within recommended guidelines for daily alcohol consumption — one drink per day or less. Alcohol can make some people feel dizzy or sleepy. If this happens to you, try not to drink alcohol while taking spironolactone.
[13]
[7]
Adigun also reminds people who are already exploring hair restoration options, such as topical and oral medications or injections, to try not to undermine their progress by drinking.
“If you’re doing treatments like minoxidil or [platelet-rich plasma injections] and at the same time, [you’re] drinking moderately or heavily, you’re adding a risk factor that we know increases [hair loss] severity,” she says. “Why continue a habit that worsens the condition you’re trying to treat?”
The Takeaway
Alcohol hasn’t been proven to directly cause hair loss, but excessive drinking can worsen hair shedding indirectly by disrupting sleep, hydration, and nutrient absorption — all of which can affect hair health.
Genetics play a key role in pattern baldness — and if you’re predisposed to androgenic alopecia, research suggests that alcohol may accelerate the process.
If you’re treating hair loss with medications or procedures, cutting back on alcohol can help you get the best results and avoid undermining your progress. Work with a dermatologist to understand what may be causing your hair loss.
What to know before grabbing an ice-cold beer to beat the heat:
It’s a warm summer day and you’re hanging out with friends and family for the first time in over a year, celebrating being vaccinated and just being together. And to help beat the heat, you reach in the cooler for an ice-cold beer.
While that might be refreshing at the moment, though, there’s good reason to grab some water, too. The heat of summer can be brutal, sometimes, and its effects are amplified when you’ve had a little too much alcohol.
To better understand the risks you face when drinking alcohol during this hot vaccine summer, we spoke with registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, RD.
The biggest danger: dehydration
Whenever you’re outside in the heat for prolonged periods – like at the beach or picnic – you’re at risk of dehydration. Consuming alcohol only heightens that risk.
Alcohol reduces the release of the hormone vasopressin, which keeps your body fluids balanced. At the same time, alcohol is also a diuretic which means more urinating and that can lead to dehydration even without the heat. Add in all that sweat from the hot sun and it’s a recipe for dehydration disaster.
One thing Zumprano points out, too, is that caffeine – whether via coffee, soda or as a mixer for liquor – heightens that dehydration risk even further.
Dehydration can also compound certain aspects of intoxication, she notes. “Altered thinking, altered abilities to drive and make reasonable decisions or even just to have conversations are all things that intoxication can cause.”
Liquor versus beer: Is one worse than the other in the heat?
Given that alcohol content is usually higher in spirits than in your average beer, it makes sense that drinking beer instead of mixed drinks might help you avoid dehydration. But the reality is a little more complex, according to Zumpano.
“If you’re consuming liquor at a volume equivalent to the volume of beer, like 12 ounces of margaritas compared to 12 ounces of an average beer, you will get drunk a lot quicker,” she says. “But if you’re drinking what’s considered an alcoholic drink equivalent, there’s not much of a difference because your alcohol intake is the same.”
According to the National Institute of Health, one alcoholic drink equivalent, also referred to as a “standard drink,” contains around 14 grams of pure alcohol. By those measurements, an average 12-ounce can of beer contains the same amount of alcohol as a 5-ounce glass of wine or a typical shot of distilled spirits like rum, vodka, gin or whiskey.
One thing to keep an eye on, though, is the alcoholic content of your beer. While major brands generally run between 4% and 5% alcohol per 12-ounce can or bottle, certain styles of craft beer are as much as 9% alcohol per the same volume. In other words, one can of your favorite local IPA delivers almost twice the amount of alcohol to your system.
Beware a false sense of hydration
Another mistake you should avoid, Zumpano says, is thinking that drinking all that liquid rehydrates you. “If you’re drinking a lot of beer or alcoholic seltzer, it can feel like you’re drinking a lot of liquid and staying hydrated, but the alcohol offsets that because it’s the dehydrating factor,” she points out.
Not that drinking mixed drinks is any better, according to Zumpano. “If you’re drinking a sugary, sweet mixed drink, you run into the same thing. It feels like you’re staying hydrated because they go down so much smoother than drinking spirits on the rocks. But it’s the same effect as with beer: The alcohol is still dehydrating you unless you’re also drinking enough water.”
Sugar, the hidden villain
All of these drinks have other adverse health effects, too. They can pack a bunch of calories into a single serving – as many as 400 to 500 calories in some mixed drinks and craft beers – and they can come loaded with carbs.
There’s more, though. “If you’re drinking high sugar, high caloric intake beverages and you’re drinking a lot of them, they can be very filling,” Zumpano says. If you’re feeling full, you might not eat any food which can otherwise help absorb some of the alcohol.
How to counter dehydration: water, water, water
So what can you do to avoid dehydration troubles when you’re sipping your favorite boozy beverage by the pool? “To counteract the dehydration risk of alcohol,” Zumpano says, “drink 8 to 12 ounces of water for every alcoholic drink. It slows your intake, keeps you hydrated and can mitigate negative hangover effects.”
She suggests keeping a reusable water bottle with you that you can refill as the day goes on, taking time to drink the necessary water between beers or margaritas. Another option is to buy a pack of 8-ounce bottles of water and alternate with your booze. And you can always infuse your water with fruit to keep it flavorful.
“It’s also important to know what your trigger for over-consumption is,” she adds. “If you’re triggered by over-consuming beer or alcoholic seltzer, you want to be mindful of that. Try to switch a drink you have better control of and keep the water bottle handy.”
Two friends share laughter and wine during a relaxed evening at home.
Note: While research on alcohol is evolving, the World Health Organization says drinking less or not at all is better for your health.
If you’ve noticed your hair thinning or that you’re losing hair more rapidly, you may be wondering whether your alcohol consumption is to blame. After all, alcohol is tied to a wide range of health issues, from liver disease to nutrient deficiencies and cardiovascular conditions — more than 200 health conditions in all.
[1] Could it also be contributing to your hair loss?
The short answer: Alcohol itself isn’t a direct, proven cause of hair loss. But excessive drinking may contribute to factors that negatively affect hair health, such as nutritional deficiencies, dehydration, hormonal disturbances, and immune system impairment.
[1]
“There’s no direct causal relationship that’s been defined. What we see instead is a suggested link, especially with androgenic alopecia, or pattern hair loss. And it may depend on the type and amount of alcohol consumed,” says Chris Adigun, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Here’s a closer look at what the science says if you’re worried about the potential role of alcohol in your hair health.
Alcohol and Hair Loss: What the Science Shows
Currently, there’s no strong evidence that alcohol directly causes hair loss. But researchers have studied how drinking causes ripple effects on overall health, including indirectly influencing hair loss.
One research review that included 17 studies and more than 61,000 participants — mostly women — found that consuming higher amounts of sugary drinks and alcohol was linked to more hair shedding. The researchers even suggest that limiting alcohol may be beneficial in supporting hair health, though further research is needed to confirm the findings.
[2]
The research review isn’t able to determine the two are linked, but some clear factors are at play, says Julia Zumpano, RD, a registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic’s Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute in Ohio.
“One probable cause could be the role these beverages play in the gut microbiome and nutrient absorption,” Zumpano says.
Excessive drinkers may also eat less nutrient-dense foods and may be deficient in nutrients crucial to hair health, such as vitamin D, iron, protein, and B12, she says. Chronic nutrient deficiency can weaken the hair’s structure and cause thinning.
[3]
Both theories are backed by research. It’s been established that chronic alcohol use is tied to malnutrition via alcohol’s effects on the small intestine’s ability to absorb key nutrients.
[4]
Genetics are another key factor, according to research. One study that looked at more than 1,100 men who were diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia found that regular drinkers had a 61 percent increased risk that their pattern hair loss would advance to moderate or severe stages.
[5]
In this case, the researchers said doctors should consider counselling patients with a genetic predisposition to hair loss to steer away from alcohol as a preventive measure.
[5]
And then there’s the stress on the body that alcohol may cause, Dr. Adigun says. Excessive drinking can disrupt sleep, trigger dehydration, and weaken the immune system, all of which can indirectly affect hair health.
[6]Should You Drink if You Have Hair Loss?
If you’re already dealing with hair thinning or shedding, do you need to stop drinking altogether? The answer depends on how much you drink and your overall health.
Based on the research, if you’re genetically predisposed to hair loss, Adigun suggests limiting alcohol consumption to avoid accelerating the process. “If someone has a family history of androgenic alopecia, for example, adding alcohol as another risk factor is inadvisable if they want to keep their hair,” she says.
But for most adults, moderate drinking — up to one drink per day for women and two for men, according to U.S. dietary guidelines — is unlikely to directly trigger hair loss, Adigun says.
[7]
If you drink excessively, cutting back may support your hair health indirectly by lessening the negative impact on your sleep, immune system, and your ability to absorb nutrients.
The term “excessive drinking” typically refers to binge drinking or heavy drinking. Binge drinking consists of consuming multiple drinks on a single occasion — 4 or more for women, 5 or more for men. Heavy drinking is defined as consuming 8 or more drinks per week for women, or 15 or more for men.
[8]
Your best bet is to meet with a dermatologist, who can help sort out the underlying causes of your hair loss — whether they’re genetic, hormonal, nutritional, or related to other health conditions. A dermatologist can run tests, identify the type of hair loss, and create a treatment approach that may combine medications, supplements, and lifestyle changes.
[9]
“Hair loss doesn’t happen in a vacuum, it’s complex. Alcohol is one piece of the puzzle, but we also need to look at genetics, lifestyle, and other contributing factors,” Adigun says.
Does Alcohol Interact With Hair Loss Medications?
If you’re taking medication for hair loss, you may wonder whether alcohol is safe. Some hair regrowth treatments don’t interact with alcohol, but others may increase your risk of side effects when combined with drinking.
Always ask your doctor or pharmacist before combining the two.
Here’s a look at some common treatments for hair loss and their potential interactions.
Minoxidil (Rogaine)
Topical application of minoxidil has no known alcohol interactions, but oral minoxidil may increase the risk of severe hangovers in people who are drinking heavily while taking the medication.
[10]
[11]
Finasteride (Propecia)
There are no major interactions with alcohol while taking this medication.
[12]
Spironolactone (Aldactone)
This medication is used off-label for female pattern hair loss. While taking it, women should stick within recommended guidelines for daily alcohol consumption — one drink per day or less. Alcohol can make some people feel dizzy or sleepy. If this happens to you, try not to drink alcohol while taking spironolactone.
[13]
[7]
Adigun also reminds people who are already exploring hair restoration options, such as topical and oral medications or injections, to try not to undermine their progress by drinking.
“If you’re doing treatments like minoxidil or [platelet-rich plasma injections] and at the same time, [you’re] drinking moderately or heavily, you’re adding a risk factor that we know increases [hair loss] severity,” she says. “Why continue a habit that worsens the condition you’re trying to treat?”
The Takeaway
Alcohol hasn’t been proven to directly cause hair loss, but excessive drinking can worsen hair shedding indirectly by disrupting sleep, hydration, and nutrient absorption — all of which can affect hair health.
Genetics play a key role in pattern baldness — and if you’re predisposed to androgenic alopecia, research suggests that alcohol may accelerate the process.
If you’re treating hair loss with medications or procedures, cutting back on alcohol can help you get the best results and avoid undermining your progress. Work with a dermatologist to understand what may be causing your hair loss.
A healthy, Asian spin on your usual weeknight pasta dish
Luxurious coconut milk and peanut butter make a silky sauce — and a savory sweet topping for squash, edamame and broccoli.
Ingredients
1 large spaghetti squash 1 tablespoon olive oil Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup no-added-sugar peanut butter 1 cup canned light coconut milk, plus more if needed 2 garlic cloves 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 1/2 teaspoons rice vinegar 1 large head broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets and steamed 2 bunches Swiss chard, roughly chopped and steamed 1 cup cooked edamame 1 bunch green onions or scallions, chopped, for garnish 1/2 cup chopped peanuts, for garnish
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400° F.
Line a baking sheet with foil and set aside.
Carefully cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise, using a large, sharp knife. Remove the seeds and stringy guts and discard or compost.
Brush the cut insides of the squash with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Place the spaghetti squash, cut side down, on the prepared baking sheet and roast until tender, 45 to 60 minutes. When it’s done, the strands of the squash should fall off easily when scraped with a fork.
Remove from the oven and let the cooked spaghetti squash cool for about 5 minutes, then scrape all the flesh into a pile of strands in a large bowl.
Taste and season with more salt and pepper, if needed.
Place the peanut butter, coconut milk, garlic, ginger, soy sauce and rice vinegar in a blender, and blend on high speed until completely smooth; add a little more coconut milk if a thinner consistency is desired.
Mix the squash with the cooked broccoli, Swiss chard and edamame.
Divide equally among four bowls. Drizzle with the peanut sauce and sprinkle with the green onions and peanuts.
Nutrition information (per serving)
Makes 4 servings
Calories: 591 Total fat: 40.5 g Saturated fat: 7.9 g Trans fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 1121.1 mg Total Carbohydrate: 40.5 g Fiber: 14.1 g Sugar: 11.2 g Protein: 27.3 g
Does slow running have a place in your run routine? 🏃♂️
A cardiologist (and a runner) explains how the idea of slowing your pace can prevent injuries, help you log more run miles and train your body for all the stress that comes with running: https://t.co/59Q7kSUsxmpic.twitter.com/n7a04aTE76
