Beer And Periods: What's The Connection?

Drinking alcohol during your period is a topic of debate among health professionals. While some say that it is safe to consume alcohol during your period, others argue that it can have negative consequences. So, can you drink beer during your period?

Alcohol and irregular periods

It is safe to drink alcohol during your period, but it's important to be aware of the potential side effects. Alcohol can affect your hormones, intensifying PMS symptoms such as mood swings and irritability. It can also worsen cramps and cravings, and cause dehydration, which can make cramps even worse. In addition, alcohol can negatively impact your fertility, with even light consumption potentially reducing the chances of conception.

Fluctuations in hormone levels caused by alcohol consumption can lead to irregular or missed periods, but this is usually only when consumed in high doses. If you are trying to conceive, it is recommended to avoid alcohol to maximise your chances.

If you choose to drink alcohol during your period, it is important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, avoiding caffeine, eating a healthy diet rich in vitamins, and getting plenty of sleep.

Alcohol and PMS symptoms

While it is safe to drink alcohol during your period, it is important to be aware that alcohol can affect your PMS symptoms. According to a study published in the journal BMJ Open, alcohol intake during periods is associated with a 'moderate' increase in PMS symptoms. Here are some ways in which alcohol can affect your PMS symptoms:

• Irregular periods: Alcohol can raise estrogen and testosterone levels in the body, altering your menstrual cycle and leading to unexpected or missed periods.
• Prolonged pain and cramps: Alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration, which can leave you more susceptible to cramps. Alcohol also increases prostaglandin levels, which trigger contractions in the uterine muscles, thereby worsening and prolonging period cramps.
• Intensified PMS symptoms: After a night of drinking, symptoms such as breast tenderness, headaches, and mood fluctuations can worsen.
• Lowered magnesium levels: Magnesium levels in the body fluctuate during periods, and alcohol consumption can worsen these fluctuations, leading to lower blood sugar and causing dizziness and cravings.
• Heightened emotions: Alcohol can increase estrogen levels, making you feel more emotional.
• Fatigue: Alcoholic drinks contain high levels of sugar, and drinking can cause a sugar crash, leaving you feeling even more tired. Alcohol also lessens the quality of your sleep.
• Increased cravings: Alcohol dehydrates your body, and dehydration is linked to increased cravings and hunger during PMS.

To minimise these potential side effects, it is recommended to drink in moderation, stay hydrated by alternating alcoholic drinks with water, and make healthy lifestyle choices such as getting plenty of sleep and eating a nutritious diet.

Alcohol and fertility

Drinking alcohol can negatively affect fertility. According to Anthony Rutherford, a consultant in reproductive medicine and Chair of the British Fertility Society, consuming one to five drinks a week can reduce the chances of conception. If both partners trying to conceive are moderate to heavy drinkers, the chances of conception drop even further as alcohol negatively affects the number and viability of sperm.

Alcohol's effects on the hormones estrogen and testosterone can cause irregular or absent ovulation. It can also affect when in your cycle you ovulate. If you are trying to get pregnant, this means that even if you are targeting your fertile window, your timing could be off.

Drinking alcohol while pregnant can result in fetal alcohol syndrome.

It is not exactly clear how or why alcohol affects fertility. However, the overall effects of alcohol on the body are negative. Overconsumption—more than three drinks a day or more than seven to eight drinks per week—can have long-term effects on blood pressure and heart health. During pregnancy and while trying to conceive, these conditions can be dangerous for both parent and baby.

If you are considering IVF or fertility drugs, drinking alcohol can reduce their effectiveness and decrease your chances of a viable implantation and live birth.

If you are trying to conceive, it is a good idea to avoid alcohol to maximise your chances. This also avoids any accidental harm if you do not know you are pregnant.

Alcohol and dehydration

Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it increases urination and can cause dehydration. Dehydration occurs when the body does not have enough fluid to function effectively. Alcohol has a dehydrating effect on the body, especially when consumed in large quantities.

Drinking alcohol can lead to excessive urination, causing a loss of vital fluids and electrolytes. This is because alcohol suppresses the release of the antidiuretic hormone vasopressin, which controls how much water the kidneys reabsorb and retain. This reduction in fluid retention increases urination.

Drinking on an empty stomach can also contribute to dehydration as the alcohol goes straight into the bloodstream rather than being absorbed more slowly through the stomach and small intestine. Large quantities of alcohol can also suppress appetite, making the drinker less likely to eat, which in turn can speed up alcohol absorption and dehydration.

Dehydration can worsen period cramps. Hormonal changes during menstruation can lead to dehydration, and alcohol consumption can further exacerbate this. Dehydration thickens menstrual fluids and blood, making it more difficult to pass through the cervix and out of the body. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water and other fluids can help to alleviate this.

To avoid dehydration when drinking alcohol, it is recommended to:

• Drink alcohol in moderation
• Drink alcohol slowly – it takes the liver about an hour to process each serving
• Drink water while consuming alcohol – aim for at least one glass of water for each alcoholic drink
• Drink water regularly, before, during, and after drinking alcohol
• Drink other hydrating beverages, such as electrolyte-fortified water or sports drinks
• Avoid sugary and caffeinated beverages, as these can promote dehydration
• Eat hydrating foods, such as those with a high water content
• Avoid fried foods and those high in sodium, protein, and sugar, as these can also promote dehydration

Alcohol and nutrient depletion

Alcohol can negatively impact nutrient absorption and deplete essential vitamins and minerals from your body. This is because alcohol inhibits the natural breakdown of nutrients in several ways. Firstly, it decreases the secretion of digestive enzymes from the pancreas. Secondly, it impairs nutrient absorption by damaging the cells lining the stomach and intestines. Thirdly, it disables the transport of some nutrients into the blood. Finally, it prevents the full utilisation of the nutrients that are absorbed by altering their transport, storage, and excretion.

Alcohol can cause deficiencies in vitamin A, C, D, E, K, and B vitamins. These deficiencies can cause night blindness, softening of the bones, slow healing of wounds, decreased ability of the blood to clot, and severe neurological damage. Alcohol can also lead to deficiencies in calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc.

In addition, alcohol provides "empty calories" as it contains no other essential nutrients. This means that if you are ingesting a lot of calories from alcohol, you are likely to be getting fewer vitamins and minerals from food sources.

The impact of alcohol on nutrient depletion is particularly severe for those with alcohol use disorders. Many people with alcohol use disorders are malnourished, and if their disorder is severe enough for them to be hospitalised, they are usually severely malnourished. Restoring nutrition is, therefore, one of the most important features of an inpatient programme for alcohol use disorder.

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