How Does Alcohol Affect Estrogen Levels?
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Hormones are finicky things: too much or too little of certain hormones can throw us all out of whack. Estrogen in particular – one of the main female sex hormones — is an important hormone that contributes to mood, bone strength, and even heart health. If we have too much or too little, we’re likely to experience health issues.
So, how does drinking alcohol affect our estrogen levels? Below, we’ll dive into the connection between alcohol consumption and estrogen levels, and how it affects men and women alike.
Estrogen is a female sex hormone that’s responsible for maintaining our sexual and reproductive health. Like other hormones, estrogen is a chemical messenger that tells our body when to start and stop processes affecting our health. It plays a particularly important role in the development of breasts and hips in women, the regulation of our menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
There are three major forms of estrogen:
Estrogen also has other non-reproductive functions that extend beyond fertility and sex-related functions. For instance, estrogen regulates important processes in our skeletal, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems that impact our overall health. More specifically, estrogen contributes to our:
Alcohol has been shown to increase the amount of estrogen we produce. This might seem like a good thing, right? After all, estrogen is important for our heart, bone, and brain health. However, increased estrogen levels for a long period of time is also associated with the development of breast cancer in women.
How does this occur? Well, whenever we consume alcohol, our bodies metabolize it primarily in the liver. In the process of breaking down alcohol, the liver creates byproducts that can influence estrogen levels. Ethanol — the alcohol found in alcoholic beverages — can increase the enzyme aromatase, which converts testosterone and androgens into estrogen.
As a result, the more alcohol we consume, the higher our circulating estrogen levels can become — and the higher the risk for long-term hormonal imbalances.
A drink here or there likely isn’t a cause for concern. Research shows that it’s mostly heavy, long-term consumption of alcohol that increases our risk for breast cancer due to prolonged high levels of estrogen.
In one study, moderate drinking was found to have little impact, but heavy drinking increases the risk of breast cancer in women with less body mass. However, another study found that moderate alcohol use in younger women increased breast cancer risk by 11 to 16 percent.
Furthermore, a pooled analysis of data from 53 studies found that for each alcohol drink consumed per day, the relative risk of breast cancer increased by 7 percent.
In general, studies indicate that estrogen levels are higher in women who drink alcohol than in non-drinkers. In addition to increasing the risk of breast cancer, heavy drinking can also increase the risk of heart and liver disease, weight gain, and osteoporosis.
Estrogen levels typically drop during menopause as our body stops ovulating. This decrease in estrogen can lead to a host of unpleasant symptoms, such as mood changes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, and hot flashes.
Some people assume that because alcohol increases estrogen levels, older women can benefit from consuming small amounts of alcohol. After all, increased estrogen levels in older women can lead to improved cardiovascular health, stronger bone density, and better immune function. Higher estrogen levels may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
However, consuming alcohol to increase our estrogen levels during or after menopause is unwise. We’d be much better off consulting a medical professional who can address any concerns about low estrogen levels. Many older women go through hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to help balance their hormones.
Furthermore, heavy drinking can wreak havoc on older women’s health. During the menopausal years, women are at a greater risk for certain health conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. The risk becomes greater the more we drink. Alcohol can also make it more challenging to maintain a healthy weight, which can also increase the risk of certain conditions.
Alcohol also increases estrogen levels in men. While we usually associate estrogen with women, men also have this hormone. Even though women have significantly higher estrogen levels than men, it’s still important for men to maintain a proper balance of estrogen.
High levels of estrogen in men from excessive alcohol consumption can cause both short- and long-term complications, such as:
Other possible symptoms of high estrogen levels that may happen along with other hormone imbalances include reduced sex drive, reduced sperm concentration in semen, feeling exhausted, losing hair, shrinking muscle mass, loss of bone density, hot flashes, and having trouble focusing.
Unlike women, levels of estrogen increase in men as they get older. High levels of estrogen in older men can increase the risk of certain conditions, including diabetes, blood clots, stroke, certain cancers, including breast and prostate cancer.
Interestingly, stress can exacerbate the effects of alcohol on estrogen levels. When we’re stressed, our bodies release stress hormones like cortisol, which can disrupt the balance of sex hormones, including estrogen. This hormonal shift can further contribute to a host of negative health outcomes, including mood disorders, impaired immune function, and increased risk of chronic diseases.
Here are some tips for protecting your estrogen levels and improving your overall hormonal health:
If we’re curious whether our estrogen levels are high, low, or normal, we can visit our doctor who can order a lab test that measures our levels of estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), or estriol (E3).
Alcohol increases estrogen levels in both women and men. High levels of estrogen in women over a long period of time can increase the risk of breast cancer. High levels of estrogen in men can lead to infertility, erectile dysfunction, and increase the risk of certain cancers. The more we drink, the greater the risk. While a drink here and there isn’t necessarily harmful, heavy, long-term consumption of alcohol can lead to a host of health complications. Even though estrogen levels drop during menopause, it’s wise not to consume alcohol, given that it can increase our risk for osteoporosis, heart disease, and other health issues.
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1. How does alcohol affect estrogen levels in women?
Alcohol increases estrogen levels in women. High levels of estrogen in women over a long period of time can increase the risk of breast cancer.
2. How does alcohol affect estrogen levels in men?
Alcohol increases estrogen levels in men. High levels of estrogen in men can lead to infertility, erectile dysfunction, and increase the risk of certain cancers.
3. What is estrogen and why is it important?
Estrogen is a female sex hormone that’s responsible for maintaining our sexual and reproductive health. It also plays an important role in our heart health, bone health, mood, and brain function.
4. How can we promote hormonal balance and health?
We can support our hormone health by limiting our alcohol consumption, regularly exercising, getting proper nutrition, managing stress, prioritizing sleep, minimizing exposure to toxins, and seeking professional guidance when necessary.
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