What are the dangers of drinking alcohol during a woman's menstrual period?
Core tip: Can women drink alcohol during their period? What are the dangers of drinking alcohol during a woman's menstrual period?
It has been reported that when drinking alcohol, women are 50% more likely to suffer liver damage or alcohol poisoning during their period compared to men. This is because women lack the necessary enzymes to break down alcohol during menstruation. If they drink too much at once, it prolongs the time they are intoxicated and the feeling or symptoms of drunkenness will be more severe. This is why drinking during a period can easily lead to addiction and alcohol poisoning.
Additionally, due to continuous bleeding during the period, the body is weak and has poor resistance. Drinking alcohol accelerates blood circulation, which can lead to increased menstrual flow. If cold beer is consumed, it may also cause menstrual cramps. Therefore, it is generally recommended to avoid hard liquor in the days leading up to and during the period. Of course, a small amount of wine (about 50ml) is acceptable, but it should not be consumed in excess.
Women have fewer enzymes involved in alcohol metabolism, so their ability to break down acetaldehyde is weaker. Furthermore, affected by female hormone secretion during menstruation, the secretion of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes decreases, which slows down the breakdown of alcohol. As a result, alcohol is not excreted but instead turns into acidic substances. To neutralize these substances, the liver has to continuously produce enzymes, which increases the likelihood of liver dysfunction.
As a woman's period approaches, the activity of these enzymes decreases, and alcohol metabolism slows down. When metabolism is slower, the time spent in a state of intoxication is extended, and the feeling of drunkenness is more severe. Therefore, many cases show that drinking before a period can easily lead to addiction and act as a trigger for alcohol poisoning. Therefore, caring for yourself starts with the basics, and women should consider their menstrual cycle when drinking alcohol.