🍷 Alcohol has a powerful effect on oestrogen metabolism 💃🔥

Let’s have a real talk about alcohol and menopause.

We love a good glass of wine (or a cheeky cocktail 🍸), but have you ever noticed that alcohol hits differently these days?

One drink too many, and suddenly…

🔥 Hot flashes that could melt steel.

😴 Tossing and turning all night.

🥴 Waking up bloated, exhausted, and moody.

So, what’s actually happening inside our bodies?

Alcohol has a powerful effect on oestrogen metabolism, and that means it can worsen menopause symptoms if we’re not mindful. Here’s how alcohol interacts with your hormones—and how to sip smarter without the unwanted side effects!

🍷 Alcohol Increases Oestrogen Levels – And That’s Not Always Good!

🚫 Alcohol slows down oestrogen breakdown

🔹 Your liver is responsible for metabolising both alcohol and oestrogen—but when you drink, alcohol takes priority. This means oestrogen lingers longer, causing hormonal imbalances.

🚫 Alcohol can increase oestrogen production

🔹 Some studies suggest alcohol stimulates aromatase activity, an enzyme that converts testosterone into oestrogen.

🔹 Result? Higher oestrogen levels = more bloating, breast tenderness, mood swings, and weight gain.

⚠️ Higher oestrogen = increased breast cancer risk

🔹 Women who drink more than one alcoholic drink per day tend to have higher circulating oestrogen levels.

🔹 Chronic alcohol use has been linked to an increased risk of hormone-sensitive cancers, especially breast cancer.

🙅‍♀️ The takeaway? One glass here and there is fine, but daily drinking can push your oestrogen levels too high.

🔥 Alcohol Worsens Menopause Symptoms

🥵 Hot Flashes & Night Sweats

• Alcohol dilates blood vessels, triggering vasodilation (fancy term for your face turning into a furnace!).

• Many women find that even a small drink before bed leads to intense night sweats.

😴 Sleep Disruptions

• Alcohol interferes with melatonin production, the sleep hormone.

• Already struggling with menopause insomnia? Alcohol can make it 10x worse.

⚖️ Weight Gain & Insulin Resistance

• Alcohol messes with blood sugar levels, making belly fat more stubborn.

• Oestrogen fluctuations + alcohol = slower metabolism and more fat storage.

💡 The fix? If you’re going to drink, have it earlier in the evening and skip the sugary cocktails (those are a double hit to your hormones!).

🍷 Alcohol, Your Liver & Hormone Detoxification

Your liver is a detox powerhouse—it works hard to flush out excess oestrogen so your hormones stay in balance.

But when alcohol enters the chat, your liver gets overloaded and struggles to detox both alcohol AND hormones.

🚨 This can lead to oestrogen dominance, meaning too much oestrogen and not enough progesterone—which can cause:

⚡ Mood swings

⚡ Breast tenderness

⚡ Water retention

⚡ Higher risk of fibroids

💡 The fix? Support your liver!

Eat cruciferous veggies 🥦 (broccoli, kale, cauliflower) to help break down oestrogen naturally.

😖 Alcohol, Cortisol & Stress Hormones: The Vicious Cycle

Alcohol increases cortisol (the stress hormone)

🔹 High cortisol = more anxiety, poor sleep, and weight gain—especially around the belly!

Alcohol lowers progesterone

🔹 Progesterone helps balance oestrogen, so when alcohol lowers it, we end up with even more hormonal chaos.

💡 The fix? If you’re having a high-stress day, swap the wine for a calming herbal tea ☕ and give your body a break.

✨ How to Enjoy Alcohol Without Wrecking Your Hormones ✨

✅ Limit alcohol to 1 drink max per day (or 3-4 times per week instead of daily).

✅ Choose low-sugar options – Dry red wine 🍷 or spirits with soda water are best.

✅ Support your liver – Eat cruciferous veggies 🥬 to help detox oestrogen.

✅ Stay hydrated – Drink lots of water 💧 to flush out excess oestrogen.

✅ Avoid alcohol close to bedtime – Reduces sleep disruptions & night sweats.

💡 The Bottom Line?

You don’t have to give up alcohol completely, but menopause is a time to drink smarter! 💃

✨ Listen to your body.

✨ Make mindful choices.

✨ Support your hormones, and they’ll support YOU.

🔥 So here’s to balance, confidence, and raising a glass (wisely!) to the next chapter of life! 🥂💖

🍷 Want tips on menopause-friendly drinks?

Drop a 🍷 in the comments & let’s chat! 💬✨

📢 IMPORTANT 📢

We hope you’ve found this article useful. However, it cannot be a substitute for a consultation with a specialist. If you’re concerned about symptoms you’re experiencing or require further information, please reach out to us via our :

TALK TO US (contact us can be found at the bottom of our homepage). 📞💬

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In Association with... The Menopause Consortium (TMC)

We are proud to collaborate with The Menopause Consortium (TMC)—one of the UK’s largest independent providers of in-person women’s health clinics. This partnership ensures you receive expert-backed insights from a diverse network of leading healthcare professionals, including:

✔ Doctors & Gynaecologists

✔ Nurses & Pharmacists

✔ Psychotherapists

✔ Dietitians & Physiotherapists

Together, we take a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to supporting your hormonal health.