“For women around the time of menopause,
alcohol intake can exacerbate hot flushes
and add to the risk of excess weight gain”.1
Umbrella
What may the Alcohol and Menopause Umbrella include?
Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:
- Alcohol
- Booze
- Drug
- Grog
- Liquor
- Menopause
Alcohol
What is alcohol?
DotS the definition of alcohol may vary. The (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) definition is:
Benefits and Risks
Is alcohol good for you or not?
In Alcohol: Weighing Risks and Potential Benefits the (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:
Menopause
Can alcohol impact menopause?
In Looking After Yourself: Alcohol the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) explain:

- Contributing to unwanted weight gain
- Interfering with sleep
- Causing changes in your mood which may affect your relationships
- Triggering hot flushes and night sweats
In the long term, heavy drinking can also lead to an increased risk for developing some cancers, depression, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and poor bone health”.4
Cancer
Is there an association between alcohol and cancer?
In Alcohol and Cancer: Alcohol and Cancer (United Kingdom) Drinkaware.co.uk note:
- Breast cancer
- Bowel cancer
- Mouth cancer
- Food pipe (oesophageal) cancer
- Upper throat (pharyngeal) cancer
- Voice box (laryngeal) cancer
- Liver cancer
Heavy drinking can also cause cirrhosis of the liver (where damage to the liver causes scar tissues to build up) which can then lead to cancer”.5
Alcohol + Smoking
Is there an association between alcohol + smoking and a greater risk of cancer?
In Alcohol and Cancer: Drinking and Smoking Combined Lead To A Greater Risk of Some Cancers Drinkaware.co.uk explain:
People who use both alcohol and tobacco have a five-fold increased risk of developing cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box and food pipe compared to people who use either alcohol or tobacco alone. For heavy users, the risk is up to 30 times higher”.6
Breast Cancer
Is there an association between alcohol and breast cancer?
The JH explain:
Osteoporosis
Is there an association between alcohol and osteoporosis?
In Osteoporosis: Symptoms & Causes – Risk Factors: Lifestyle Choices the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:
Women and Alcohol
If women choose to drink alcohol, what does moderate drinking mean?
DotS and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) this may vary. For the United States in Alcohol and Public Health: Frequently Asked Questions – Drinking Patterns: What Does Moderate Drinking Mean? the CDC explain:
For the United Kingdom in UK Low Risk Drinking Guidelines: Weekly Guidelines the Drinkaware.co.uk elaborate on:
- To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level it’s safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis
- If you regularly drink as much as 14 units per week, it’s best to spread your drinking over three or more days. If you have one or two heavy drinking episodes a week, you increase your risk of death from long-term illness and from accidents and injuries
- The risk of developing a range of health problems (including cancers of the mouth, throat and breast) increases the more you drink on a regular basis
- If you wish to cut down the amount you drink, a good way to help achieve this is to have several drink-free days every week”.10
The JH note:
This ‘low risk’ level of alcohol consumption in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle does not appear to be associated with long-term illness”.11
High Risk Drinking
What is high risk drinking?
According to the JH:
Having more than four standard drinks on a single occasion (even if you only do it once or twice per week) may cause health problems, increase risk of injury and accidents and affect relationships with those close to you”.12
Health Care Provider
What if I would like to drink, drink less or stop drinking?
If you would like to drink, drink less or stop drinking, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.
In Alcohol: Weighing Risks and Potential Benefit – Deciding About Drinking the Mayo Clinic note:
The JH explain:
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics related to Alcohol and Menopause?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
Links
Where may I find Links related to Alcohol and Menopause?
Your Country may have Links similar to:
Links
This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.New or Updated
- A.A. Around the World [Alcoholics Anonymous]
- Al-Anon Family Groups
- Alcohol
- Alcohol
- Alcohol Calorie Calculator
- Alcohol Misuse
- Alcohol Spending Calculator
- Alcohol Units
- Alcohol Use Disorder
- Alcohol Use and Cancer
- Alcohol Use and Your Health
- Alcohol Use: Weighing Risks and Benefits
- Alcohol and Breast Cancer
- Alcohol and Calories
- Alcohol and Cancer
- Alcohol and Cancer
- Alcohol and Cancer Risk
- Alcohol and Diabetes
- Alcohol and Diabetes
- Alcohol and Fitness
- Alcohol and Heart Disease
- Alcohol and Mental Health
- Alcohol and Public Health: Excessive Alcohol Use Is A Risk To Women’s Health
- Alcohol and Sex
- Alcohol and Sleep
- Alcohol and Stress [+ Video: Dr Sarah Jarvis Discusses How Alcohol Can Affect Mental Health
- Alcohol and Women
- Alcohol and the Heart
- Alcohol and the Liver
- Alcoholchange.org.uk [Alcohol Change UK]
- Alcoholic Drinks and Units
- Alcohol’s Effect on Health: Alcohol Topics
- Anxiety and Alcohol: Does Drinking Worsen Symptoms?
- Are Hangover Cures Urban Myths? Or Do Some Actually Work?
- Are You Addicted To Alcohol?
- Are You Drinking Too Much?
- Breast Cancer Prevention: It’s Never Too Late To Make Changes
- Calories In Alcohol: How Many Calories Are In An Alcoholic Drink?
- Can I Drink Alcohol If I’m Taking Painkillers?
- Cocktail Content Calculator
- Confronting Alcohol Use Disorder and Misconceptions As A Woman
- Considering A ‘Dry’ January? Hear From A Mayo Clinic Expert [+ Video]
- Consumer Health: When Is A Hangover An Emergency?
- Does Alcohol Make You Argue With Your Partner?
- Don’t Let A Little Habit Turn Into A Big Problem
- Dr. Lisa Larkin – Breast Health Made Personal
- Drink Alcohol Only In Moderation
- Drink-Refusal Skills: How To Say No To An Alcoholic Drink
- Drinkaware.co.uk [Drinkaware, United Kingdom]
- Drinking Red Wine for Heart Health? Read This Before You Toast
- Drinkwise.org.au [DrinkWise, Australia]
- Dry January
- Fact Sheets
- Facts About Alcohol
- Framingham Heart Study
- Health Effects of Alcohol
- Hellosundaymorning.org [Hello Sunday Morning]
- How Alcohol Affects Relationships
- How Alcohol Affects Your Appearance
- How Is Your Drinking Affecting You?
- How Long Does Alcohol Stay In Your System?
- How Long Does It Take Your Liver to Detox From Alcohol?
- How To Cut Down
- How To Cut Down on Alcohol At Home
- How To Stay on Track
- Is A.A. for You? [Alcoholics Anonymous]
- Is Alcohol Affecting Your Sex Life?
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing [+ Video: Menopause Only Affects You Physically!]
- Limit Alcohol Consumption
- Low Alcohol Drinks
- Managing Menopause
- Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
- Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 5. Lifestyle Advice In Menopause & Perimenopause
- Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Lifestyle Tips for Menopause Wellness
- Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
- Menopause, Ageing, and Alcohol Use Disorders In Women
- NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator: Find Your Way To Quality Alcohol Treatment [National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, United States]
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [United States]
- Need Help With A Drinking Problem?
- Nutrition and Healthy Eating: In-Depth – Alcohol: Weighing Risks and Potential Benefits
- Rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov [Rethinking Drinking]
- Samhsa.gov [Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration]
- Sober Spring
- Supporting A Loved One Through Menopause
- The High Cost of Alcohol To Your Health
- Tips for Cutting Down
- Tips on Cutting Down
- To Drink or Not To Drink – That’s Your Decision
- Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder
- Unit & Calorie Calculator
- Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: How To Protect Your Brain Health At Menopause and Beyond
- What Excuses Do You Give for Drinking Too Much?
- What Kind of Drinker Are You?
- Why Alcohol Affects Women More In Menopause
- Webinars: Previous – To Sleep, Perchance To Dream
- What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
- Why You Should Limit Alcohol Before Bed for Better Sleep
- Women and Alcohol
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Alcohol: Alcohol & Menopause. Last Updated: 15 January 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 February 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/healthy-living/alcohol Accessed: 07 February 2023
- Alcohol and Public Health: Frequently Asked Questions – About Alcohol: What Is Alcohol? Page Last Reviewed: 19 April 2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm#top Accessed: 07 February 2023
- Alcohol: Weighing Risks and Potential Benefits. 11 December 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/alcohol/art-20044551 Accessed: 07 February 2023
- Looking After Yourself: Alcohol. Last Updated: 03 October 2022 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/looking-after-yourself#alcohol Accessed: 07 February 2023
- Alcohol and Cancer: Alcohol and Cancer. Last Reviewed: 27 January 2022. Drinkaware.co.uk https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/check-the-facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/effects-on-the-body/alcohol-and-cancer Accessed: 07 February 2023
- Alcohol and Cancer: Drinking and Smoking Combined Lead To A Greater Risk of Some Cancers. Last Reviewed: 27 January 2022. Drinkaware.co.uk https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/check-the-facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/effects-on-the-body/alcohol-and-cancer Accessed: 07 February 2023
- Alcohol: Alcohol & Breast Cancer. Last Updated: 15 January 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 February 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/healthy-living/alcohol Accessed: 07 February 2023
- Osteoporosis: Symptoms & Causes – Risk Factors: Lifestyle Choices. 21 August 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351968 Accessed: 07 February 2023
- Alcohol and Public Health: Frequently Asked Questions – Drinking Patterns: What Does Moderate Drinking Mean? Page Last Reviewed: 19 April 2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm#top Accessed: 07 February 2023
- UK Low Risk Drinking Guidelines: Weekly Guidelines. Last Reviewed: 30 June 2022. Drinkaware.co.uk https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/alcoholic-drinks-and-units/low-risk-drinking-guidelines Accessed: 07 February 2023
- Alcohol: Alcohol: Alcohol & Your Health – Low Risk Drinking. Last Updated: 15 January 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 February 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/healthy-living/alcohol Accessed: 07 February 2023
- Alcohol: Alcohol: Alcohol & Your Health – High Risk Drinking. Last Updated: 15 January 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 February 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/healthy-living/alcohol Accessed: 07 February 2023
- Alcohol: Weighing Risks and Potential Benefits – Deciding About Drinking. 11 December 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/alcohol/art-20044551 Accessed: 07 February 2023
- Alcohol: Alcohol & Menopause. Last Updated: 15 January 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 February 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/healthy-living/alcohol Accessed: 07 February 2023