Does alcohol affect your period?

How does alcohol affect your period?

Alcohol affects our bodies in different ways, but there are two main things that can impact our periods: it can disrupt hormone levels and make us dehydrated [1, 2]. For some, drinking on your period may lead to more intense period-related symptoms, but drinking can also impact the menstrual cycle as a whole.  

Alcohol can worsen period pain

Alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it makes the body get rid of more water than normal and can make you dehydrated [2]. Muscle cramps are a common symptom of dehydration, and because the uterus is a muscular organ, you may notice period cramps getting worse after drinking alcohol. One small study actually found that drinking at least two liters of water per day alleviated period pain for women who didn’t previously meet this guideline [3]. That’s about the same as general recommendations on how much water to drink: 6-8 glasses of fluid per day [4].

Speaking of cramps, researchers have also looked into whether there is a direct link between alcohol consumption and period pain. The results have been somewhat mixed, with different studies reaching different conclusions. Some have found no link between period pain and alcohol [5, 6], while other research has found that drinking increases the risk of having painful periods [7]. All our bodies are different, so if you find that your period pain becomes worse if you drink, you can always try cutting back on alcohol to see if it helps.

Alcohol can also affect the prostaglandin levels in the body [8], and it’s possible that this could impact period cramps. Prostaglandins are chemicals that cause the uterus to contract, which is what normally causes cramps during your period, so higher levels of prostaglandins can result in more cramps [9].

Alcohol, PMS, and period bloating

Alcohol can also contribute to PMS in the days leading up to your period and may increase the risk of experiencing classic PMS symptoms, such as mood swings, cravings, breast tenderness, and fatigue [10]. Fluid retention and bloating are other common period symptoms [11, 12], and both can be made worse by drinking alcohol. It’s also common to crave processed and high-fat foods after drinking, which can, in turn, contribute to feeling bloated.

If you tend to struggle with these types of symptoms before or during your period, it can be worth avoiding alcohol during these days. Focus on supporting your body by drinking water, gentle movement, and getting enough sleep.

Alcohol and mental health during your period

It’s easy to only focus on the physical symptoms we experience before and during our periods, like cravings, cramps, and bloating, since they might feel more tangible. However, there’s also a big mental health component. Many people experience mood swings, anxiety, or feelings of sadness or even depression as part of PMS symptoms during the lead-up to their period, and the symptoms can continue for a few days after the period has started [13].

When we’re already feeling down, it may feel tempting to have a drink to take the edge off. While alcohol may help in the moment, it could make things worse in the long run. It’s very common to experience anxiety and other mood-related symptoms after drinking alcohol [14], and this can have a knock-on effect on PMS if you’re already experiencing similar symptoms. Additionally, studies have found a link between alcohol intake and PMS [10].  

Cutting down on alcohol can be one step in the right direction when it comes to supporting your well-being during your period. If you’re struggling with your mental health, also know that you’re not alone — and there is help available.

Can alcohol help with period cramps?

Some people may feel that alcohol can help them relax during their period, and perhaps that it can even make cramps feel more manageable. While it’s true that alcohol can dull pain, it’s not recommended to use it as pain relief [15]. It’s better to use over-the-counter pain medications or speak to your healthcare provider if you’re in a lot of pain and it disrupts your daily life.

In addition, even if drinking alcohol may help in the moment for some people, the symptoms may come back worse after the effects wear off and the alcohol leaves the body [2]. Since alcohol can make us dehydrated, it can even make cramping worse. No one wants to have period cramps and a hangover on the same day!

Does drinking on your period make you bleed more?

Alcohol can make it harder for blood to clot [16]. This may cause you to bleed more if you get a cut or similar injury after drinking, but there is a lack of research supporting the theory that drinking at the same time as being on your period would make you bleed more. 

However, regularly drinking alcohol can impact your flow, especially for those with higher alcohol consumption [17, 18]. This has to do with changes in hormone levels that can happen with regular drinking, where estrogen levels in particular have been shown to increase with alcohol intake [19]. Higher estrogen levels during the menstrual cycle can make the uterine lining thicker, which, in turn, can result in a heavier period [20].

Does alcohol make your periods irregular?

The short answer: it’s possible, but having an occasional drink now and then will likely not result in any noticeable changes to your cycle. 

Our menstrual cycles are complex and driven by different hormonal changes in the body. Alcohol can disrupt the balance between the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle, including estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone. This can lead to irregular periods, late ovulation, or even anovulatory cycles (cycles without ovulation) [19].

There’s also the question of how much we would need to drink before it started affecting our cycles. Unfortunately, there’s no magic number that applies to everyone — we’re all different, and research hasn’t been able to give us a clear-cut answer either. However, although there are risks linked to drinking alcohol even in moderate amounts, regularly drinking large amounts of alcohol is more likely to cause problems with irregular cycles than an occasional drink [19].

Do you get drunk faster on your period? 

Some people may have experienced that they are more sensitive to alcohol during their period, which begs the question: Do we tend to get drunk faster during this time in our cycles?  

Only a small number of studies have been done on alcohol and the menstrual cycle, and even fewer focus on how we react to alcohol. Since our metabolic processes can change a little during the course of a cycle, it’s possible that how quickly the body breaks down alcohol is impacted as well — and some results point towards small differences between cycle phases [21, 22]. However, more research is needed to say for sure.

It’s also important to keep in mind that many other factors can contribute to how you feel when drinking. For example, you may notice that you’re more or less sensitive to alcohol depending on how much you’ve eaten during the day, if you’re dehydrated, or whether you’re tired. It’s common to feel extra tired during your period, so this might contribute to how sensitive you are to alcohol, too. 

Alcohol and fertility

Alcohol can affect fertility, and regular heavy drinking in particular increases the risk of fertility issues (both for women and men) [23]. More moderate drinking likely has a smaller impact, but there isn’t really an amount that’s completely safe — any alcohol intake can decrease fertility [24]. This has to do with what we mentioned earlier about how alcohol impacts hormone levels, which may cause irregular cycles and problems with ovulation, but alcohol can also lower the likelihood of conception. 

If you’re trying to get pregnant, cutting back on alcohol or avoiding drinking altogether can be beneficial. But, at the same time, we’re only human, so try not to stress too much if you do have a drink now and then while trying. However, once you’re pregnant, it’s important to avoid drinking completely. 

What to drink on your period

Staying hydrated is always important, but it’s especially true during our periods. It can help alleviate symptoms such as bloating and fatigue, and may also help with cramps. Since we're a little more likely to become dehydrated during our periods, it's a good idea to drink enough water on those days. It’s generally recommended to drink at least 6-8 glasses of fluid per day [4].

If you want to cut back on alcohol during your period, you can substitute it with alcohol-free options. The important thing is finding alternatives to alcohol that you enjoy.

Remember, if you're struggling with alcohol, know there's help available. Your healthcare provider can help you find resources or work out a treatment plan that works for you.

Take control of your cycle and learn more with NC°

Many things can affect how we feel during our cycles, and it's not always easy to connect the dots. Natural Cycles allows you to track lifestyle factors, such as alcohol intake, sleep, and workouts, along with cycle symptoms and mental well-being. The NC° app is so much more than a birth control app — it empowers you to make informed decisions about your health throughout your fertility journey, from preventing to planning a pregnancy, and all the way through to perimenopause. Take our quiz to see if Natural Cycles may be right for you.