If you’ve ever wondered whether drinking might be impacting your period, you’re not alone. Let’s break it down…
It’s no secret that many people enjoy a drink socially. But when it comes to thinking about how alcohol can affect your menstrual cycle – or asking yourself if your period can change (or even stop) after drinking – navigating the information out there can feel overwhelming.
From hormone levels to symptom severity, alcohol may have various impacts on the menstrual cycle. . We’re taking a closer look at these impacts in both the short and long term – and sharing some tips on how to manage alcohol consumption during your cycle.
Understanding the menstrual cycle
To understand how alcohol may affect periods, it’s worth going over the basics of the menstrual cycle. For a detailed summary, plus support, information and some of the top period products, check out the Boots Health Hub.
Phases of the menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle is a complex process, governed by changes in hormone levels.
Follicular phase
The follicular phase is the first stage of the menstrual cycle; it starts on day one of your period (menstruation) and ends with ovulation. Everyone is unique, but on average, a period typically lasts between two and seven days.
Following a period, oestrogen levels rise, leading to the growth of follicles in the ovaries. In response to these hormone changes, the ovaries develop and release a new egg. This process is called ovulation. Fertility is usually at its highest during this phase of the menstrual cycle, which you might see referred to as the “fertile window”.
Luteal phase
Post-ovulation, progesterone levels increase to prepare the uterine lining for a potential pregnancy. If fertilisation does not occur, hormone levels drop, leading to menstruation – and the cycle begins again.
Premenstrual syndrome
Shifts in your body's hormone levels before your period can cause physical and emotional changes. This is known as PMS (premenstrual syndrome) or PMT (premenstrual tension).
Common symptoms of PMS include:
- Cramps
- Tender breasts
- Bloating
- Mood swings & irritability
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Lower back pain
Not everyone who gets a period experiences PMS symptoms. You should speak to your GP if: period pain is disrupting your life every month; your symptoms progressively worsen; your periods become more painful, heavier or irregular; you have pain during sex; or if you're bleeding between periods.
How alcohol can affect the menstrual cycle
Impact on hormone levels
Drinking alcohol can change oestrogen and progesterone levels. For some people, this might result in an increase in oestrogen, which may exacerbate PMS symptoms such as bloating, painful cramps and breast tenderness.
Changes in menstrual regularity
Some people report experiencing changes in menstrual flow and regularity after consuming alcohol. Heavy or excessive drinking can cause a delay in menstruation, or even lead to a temporary stop in your period.
As we’ve seen, alcohol’s impact on hormone levels can have physical and mental implications – and similarly, the body needs a good balance of oestrogen and progesterone released for the menstrual cycle to be regular.
Alcohol & menstrual symptoms
Beyond affecting the timing and flow of your period, drinking alcohol can also influence the severity of the symptoms experienced during menstruation:
Period pain & cramps
Some people believe that alcohol helps relieve cramps because of its muscle-relaxing properties. However, drinking alcohol may actually make period pain worse. This is because alcohol can cause dehydration, which can intensify cramping.
When it comes to period pain relief, different things work for different people, but staying hydrated and, if you drink, doing so in moderation can help prevent the pain from worsening in the first place.
PMS symptoms
Alcohol can increase the production of both oestrogen and testosterone in the body. Too much of either can exacerbate common PMS symptoms such as mood swings and irritability. It can also impact levels of prostaglandins: hormone-like substances that affect several bodily functions, including inflammation, which can worsen cramps.
Mood & energy levels
You might already be aware that alcohol is a depressant, meaning it lowers mood and energy levels. Combined with the natural mood fluctuations that occur during the menstrual cycle, alcohol can make feelings of sadness, irritability, or anxiety more intense. The disruption in sleep caused by alcohol can also contribute to lower energy levels and a general feeling of sluggishness during your period.
Heavy drinking risks
Impact on fertility
While research is ongoing, overconsumption of alcohol (more than 14 units per week) can have long-term effects on things like blood pressure, heart, liver and brain health, as well as mental wellbeing.
Alcohol can affect the regularity of ovulation too, making it difficult to conceive in some cases. Moreover, alcohol consumption during pregnancy can affect foetal development, and can lead to serious conditions such as foetal alcohol syndrome.
Link to PCOS & endometriosis
Again, the link between heavy drinking and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and endometriosis is still being researched, but avoiding or limiting alcohol for both conditions is a good idea.
Drinking too much alcohol can cause you to put on excess weight or affect your blood sugar levels. Both of these factors can worsen symptoms of PCOS.
Those with endometriosis often experience heavier or more painful periods. As alcohol can exacerbate cramping, avoiding or limiting alcohol intake may help with the symptoms.
How to drink safely
If you do choose to drink alcohol during your period, here are some tips for minimising the potential negative effects and supporting overall wellbeing:
Alcohol limits
If you drink alcohol, it’s useful to know the recommended limits. Public health guidance advises:
- Men and women should not drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis. This is equivalent to six pints of average-strength beer or 10 small glasses of lower-strength wine
- Spread your drinking over three or more days if you regularly drink as much as 14 units a week
- If you want to cut down, try to have several drink-free days each week
Staying hydrated
Alcohol is a diuretic; it causes your body to lose more water, which contributes to possible dehydration. Since dehydration can worsen period symptoms like cramps and fatigue, it’s important to drink plenty of water before, during, and after drinking alcohol (and always!).
Alternative beverages
If you find that alcohol worsens your menstrual symptoms, you could always consider reaching for non-alcoholic alternatives. Mocktails, herbal teas and flavoured water can provide a satisfying drink without the downsides of alcohol. What’s more, these alternatives can help you stay hydrated and avoid the negative effects of alcohol on your menstrual cycle.
