Anything we put into our bodies impacts our hormones. Even in moderate amounts, alcohol can have effects on the body. Drinking too much alcohol has been linked to lowered levels of progesterone.

Progesterone is a hormone that is produced in the body, most notably by the ovaries in women and testes in men. It regulates reproductive health, helping develop and maintain the uterine lining during pregnancy and preparing for childbirth. Progesterone also plays a role in sexual drive, PMS symptoms, and even cholesterol levels. How long it takes for hormones to balance after quitting alcohol can vary significantly, depending on how much alcohol was consumed beforehand, how quickly the person stops drinking alcohol and their individual body chemistry.

Stopping alcohol consumption can cause major fluctuations in hormones including progesterone, testosterone and estrogen. Seeking help from a physician or mental health professional may help restore balance sooner than trying to do so on your own.

By recognizing when it's time to reduce our alcohol intake and focus on mocktails instead, we can help keep our hormone levels balanced while still enjoying a refreshing drink with friends.

Alcohol impacts hormone functions. The main hormone that is the star of the show when drinking is progesterone. This hormone works alongside estrogen and testosterone. It regulates ovulation and periods. When pregnant, progesterone forms the placenta and maintains the health of the baby. Alcohol can decrease progesterone levels, which can threaten healthy pregnancies and fertility overall. Know the risks alcohol poses before consuming. As a depressant, alcohol interacts with the nervous system. This can shift hormone levels.

Long-term alcohol consumption increases estrogen levels and decreases progesterone levels. How long does it take hormones to balance after quitting alcohol? Reversing these levels takes time, depending wholly on the drinker and their drinking history.

Not only does alcohol mess up the cycle of traditionally fertile women, but it can also make menopausal symptoms worse in peri- and post-menopausal women.  

Quitting alcohol makes it easier for hormones to be in balance. It can take up to six months for hormones like estrogen and progesterone to balance after quitting alcohol. Testosterone can up to two years to return to normal.

Male hormones

Drinking affects men as much as women. Testosterone levels decrease while estrogen levels increase. This can be devastating to a man's reproductive system, leading to fertility problems as his sperm may have impaired development. Muscles and bones may also have a harder time becoming fully developed when heavy drinking occurs during puberty.

Drinking too much alcohol disrupts the delicate hormonal balance in our bodies. It can have a significant impact on hormones that regulate everything from stress and pleasure to blood sugar balance and sex hormones. When drinking alcohol, your body produces more of certain hormones, such as serotonin, dopamine, cortisol and oxytocin. It produces less hemoglobin, which is linked to bone growth. Eventually, sex hormones are reduced, including testosterone and estrogen. How long it takes for these hormones to balance again after quitting drinking depends on the severity of alcohol abuse. The sooner you quit, the faster the recovery process starts. However, even if you have a long history of moderate to heavy drinking, it's still possible to restore the delicate hormone balance by making positive lifestyle changes.

For many, the effects of alcohol go far beyond a hangover. The consequences can have lasting effects on hormones and long-term health. People enjoy drinking because it initially releases “feel good” hormones such as dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. These same hormones are also affected by alcohol withdrawal. When someone stops drinking, levels of cortisol (a key stress hormone) will rise. Withdrawal symptoms should lessen after a few days to weeks while hormone levels start to stabilize over the course of several weeks to months.

Bone health hormones

Heavy alcohol use disrupts the hormones essential for bone health, leading to weaker bones and conditions like osteoporosis. Parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin, and vitamin D metabolites are some of the hormones that are affected by excessive drinking. These hormones control calcium metabolism, and proper calcium absorption is needed to support your skeletal structure. Consequently, giving up alcohol allows these hormones to balance out, but it can take anywhere from several months to a couple of years for them to return to normal levels - it ultimately depends on how much and how long you have been using alcohol.

Intoxication increases the risk of falls and accidents, which can be particularly dangerous for elderly people whose bones regenerate more slowly due to calcium and vitamin D deficiencies linked to excessive alcohol use. These are both factors that could inhibit full recovery after a significant injury.

Blood sugar hormones

Blood sugar is central to our body's energy balance, regulated by hormones like glucagon and insulin. Alcohol use affects these hormones and their ability to properly regulate blood sugar levels, resulting in either hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.

In the case of hypoglycemia, symptoms can manifest immediately after heavy drinking due to a lack of nutritional intake and alcohol processing, impacting glucose production. Hyperglycemia can occur more gradually with continuous heavy drinking over time, gradually increasing insulin resistance. How long it takes for these hormones to return to a normal balance without alcohol will depend on an individual's particular health situation. However, generally speaking, those looking to quit drinking can expect improved hormone balance within several weeks of abstinence.

Feel-good hormones

Alcohol can disrupt the body's delicate hormone balance and wreak havoc on oxytocin levels. This naturally-occurring hormone is essential for forming strong, meaningful bonds with others. Its absence can impede our ability to connect and maintain friendships. How long it takes for hormones to restore their balance after quitting alcohol depends on each individual and the severity of their drinking habits.

One to three months without alcohol intake should be enough time for oxytocin levels to return to normal - meaning more time spent cultivating meaningful relationships because the neurons in our brain are stimulated by a healthy, adequate supply of oxytocin.

Men can have trouble performing after a bender. That is because arousal is decreased, resulting from an alcohol-induced hormonal imbalance. In general, however, the longer an individual abstains from drinking alcohol, the higher their chances are of seeing their hormones come back into balance.

Reframe is an innovative alcohol habit-change app developed with the help of hundreds of medical and mental health experts. With evidence-based behavior change strategies, helpful tools such as SMART goals, and a supportive community, its neuroscience-backed approach has helped thousands of people around the world reduce their drinking.

How long does it take for hormones to balance after quitting alcohol? Reframe studies suggest that this can be achieved within weeks or even days when users are committed to making changes to their habits, without compromising themselves or feeling extreme levels of deprivation. Thanks to Reframe, many users have been able to live happier and healthier lifestyles in which they’re not glued to their glasses of alcohol every night.