“Menstrual cycle.”
This is something that defines womanhood. While some of us consider the power of becoming a mother a blessing, still the monthly pain, discomfort, and uneasiness are punishments for women.
In case you are thinking that during some days, PMS is ruling your life, you are not alone there. These fluctuations in your mood often become the reason behind your alcohol consumption, and you want to have a booze-filled fun night.
Now, a question arises, can you drink during your period?
Before getting into the main topic, we like to let you know the effects of alcohol consumption on your menstrual cycle. Before that, let’s have a quick look at the different stages of the menstrual cycle.
This discussion will also help you understand how substance abuse affects your menstrual cycle. If you are looking for substance abuse rehabilitation in San Antonio, you should go for Infinite Recovery.
Stages Of Menstrual Cycle
Here are the main 4 stages of your menstrual cycle.
Stage 1: Menstrual Phase
Here, your progesterone and estrogen levels fall.
Stage 2: Follicular Phase
This is the time when your period ends and the level of estrogen again increases.
Stage 3: Ovulatory Phase
This is exactly before PMS starts, and the level of estrogen is at its peak.
Stage 4: Luteal Phase
PMS might come with higher body temperatures, fatigue, or other symptoms of PMS.
Effects Of Alcohol On Your Menstrual Cycle
When it comes to the effects of alcohol consumption on your period or any other stages of your menstrual cycle, here are the most common effects you should know.
Effect 1: Irregularity
Consuming alcohol can temporarily increase your levels of estrogen and testosterone. These are the two hormones that are essential for ovulation. All these hormonal fluctuations could result in irregular or even missed periods.
However, this will only happen when you consume alcohol in high doses.
Effect 2: Period Cramps
The menstrual phase always comes with period cramps. The dehydration due to alcohol consumption can actually worsen them.
Period cramp is one of the most unpleasant experiences of the menstrual cycle, so, in case you are consuming alcohol, you also have to ensure to keep yourself hydrated enough. In order to stay hydrated, alternating alcoholic drinks with water is a great habit.
Effect 3: Cravings
As a part of your PMS, if you get cravings, you know that period hunger is real. The main reason why you feel hungrier and crave some particular foods during your PMS is the lack of hydration.
We all are aware of the fact that alcohol dehydrates your body and worsens cravings. Therefore, if you are looking for a way to keep your craving at bay, try to stay hydrated when you are consuming alcohol in the lead-up to your period.
Effect 4: Fatigue
The luteal, along with the menstrual phases of your cycle, might leave you feeling fatigued. You might not know that alcohol is a depressant that flattens your nervous system. Also, a number of alcoholic beverages contain sugar at higher levels.
In case you are already feeling lethargic, consuming alcohol might cause a sugar crash. In this scenario, feeling more tired is normal. In addition to all these, consuming alcohol lessens your sleep quality.
During these two phases, your body might take a while to catch up after an alcohol-fuelled night.
Effect 5: Mood Swings
If you are consuming or have consumed alcohol when you are going through a luteal phase, you might encounter a noticeable impact on your overall mood. During your period, you tend to have mood swings, and consuming alcohol will heighten those lows and highs.
While drinking, you may experience an increased amount of enjoyment. However, consequently, you will experience increased feelings of sadness, which is almost similar to anxiety and depression.
Effect 6: Fertility
Honestly speaking, the reason why and how alcohol consumption affects your fertility is still not so clear. Experts also state that even less consumption of alcohol, such as one to five drinks per week, can minimize the chances of conception.
Over 10 drinks per week can really affect your fertility more drastically. In case you are trying to conceive, we will recommend you avoid alcohol consumption in order to increase your chances. This way, you will also be able to avoid accidental harm in case you are not sure whether you are pregnant.
It does not mean that consuming alcohol is an alternative to contraception.
Is Drinking Alcohol On Your Period Safe?
Everything is tolerable up to a certain level. The same goes for drinking alcohol as well. If you are drinking alcohol at a moderate level, you will not encounter any issues during your period.
Alcohol is unlikely to leave severe effects on your menstrual cycle. Although it depends when you are choosing to enjoy your favorite glass of booze. At the same time, you also need to keep one thing in your mind;
Drinking at different stages of your menstrual cycle can affect your body differently.
The way you might adjust or regulate your skincare habit for your menstrual phases, it is best to adjust your drinking habits throughout your cycle.
Drinking Tips During Period
If you have some events especially lined up during your period, as it always hits on those special occasions, here are some tips for drinking alcohol during your period.
- As we have mentioned above, alcohol makes you feel dehydrated, especially when you are in the luteal phase. During this time, water is something that your body needs exactly.
- Caffeine has inflammatory properties, which may exacerbate your PMS symptoms in case you are consuming alcohol during your period.
- During your period, include more foods, which are rich in multitudes of vitamins to your meals, in order to help with period cramps.
- Along with having all the fun, your body also requires proper sleep during your menstrual cycle.
Enjoy Womanhood!
Womanhood is something that every girl should enjoy. Just because you bleed every month, that does not mean you will stop having all those funs, booze nights with your friends, and attending some exciting event.
You just need to ensure that you are consuming alcohol at a moderate level, as it has a lot of health benefits. Especially when you are on your period, use the tips we have mentioned above.
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