Alcohol & Menopause

ALCOHOL & MENOPAUSE

Fact #1: Women Process Alcohol Differently Than Men

Compared to men, women have less water in their blood to dilute alcohol.

So the alcohol we do drink is going to be more concentrated. Our brains and organs

will likely be exposed to more alcohol for a more extended period— and even

moderate alcohol consumption may increase the risk of neurodegeneration (i.e.,

progressive damage to brain tissues). Women have lower levels of key enzymes that

metabolize alcohol. That means it stays in our systems longer.

Combine that with a smaller average body size where the same amount of

alcohol has a larger impact, and you get the end result-when women drink,

they face higher health risks than men.

Fact #2: Older Women Process Alcohol Differently Than

Younger Women

Older women are likely to have less body water than younger women. That

means drinking the same amount will result in a higher blood alcohol concen-

tration for older women.

On top of that, older women are more likely to be taking prescription medica-

tions, which may magnify alcohol’s toxic effects on their organs.

Fact #3: Women Tend to Drink More as They Age

Despite the fact that age decreases our ability to tolerate alcohol, midlife

and older women are drinking much more on average than previous

generations — and having more health problems, including alcohol-related

emergency room visits.

Plus, alcohol use can mask — and eventually worsen — other life challenges,

such as stress and depression. And women are more likely than men to

relapse to drinking alcohol in response to stress.

Fact #4: Alcohol Poses Body-Wide Negative Effects

For many years, the media promoted the “heart-healthy” benefits of some alcohol, for

example, it was suggested that red wine could have health benefits, thanks to

particular substances in grapes.

Recent research now confirms that this is a myth. We now know that

alcohol consumption poses more risks than benefits, even at low doses —

and this is especially true for women at midlife and beyond.

BOTTOM LINE

Alcohol should be very limited or avoided if women in midlife want to feel and look

their best during midlife and beyond. Having the knowledge about how alcohol affects

our bodies can help you make an informed decision.