Menopause is a normal part of ageing that all women have to deal with. Many changes happen during these years, and they can be difficult to deal with. If you are struggling with an alcohol addiction or drink casually and are worried about how alcohol affects menopause, you should educate yourself.

Going through these changes can be stressful, and it can seem like a hard road to navigate. Knowing about menopause and drinking habits, how they impact your health and what support is available can help ease your worries.

Understanding Menopause and Hormonal Changes

Menopause is the end of a woman’s menstrual period. Ovaries stop producing reproductive hormones, resulting in a decline in oestrogen and progesterone.

Common menopause symptoms include:

  • Hot flushes
  • Night sweats
  • Mood swings
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Reduced sex drive
  • Headaches and migraines

This time in a woman’s life can be hard, but making healthy lifestyle choices can help you manage menopause symptoms.

Can Alcohol Worsen Menopause Symptoms?

Does alcohol worsen menopause?

Yes, undoubtedly.

Some of this is down to hormones. Alcohol and hormonal changes are closely linked because alcohol impacts the adrenal glands. These glands produce steroid hormones that help regulate your metabolism and blood pressure. Alcohol can also disrupt vitamin C and blood sugar levels, leading to poorer absorption of alcohol.

Other menopause symptoms affected by alcohol include:

  • Hot flushes and night sweats: Alcohol can dilate your blood vessels, meaning they widen, which leads to your body temperature rising.
  • Mood swings and anxiety: Hormonal imbalance during menopause can cause negative mental health effects. Drinking heavily and regularly will worsen symptoms, especially hangovers, which can cause more anxiety and stress.
  • Sleep disturbances: Alcohol may make it easier to fall asleep, but it will disrupt REM sleep, which is where you get your resting done. Chronic tiredness can worsen the other symptoms you are experiencing.

Alcohol and Bone Health During Menopause

Osteoporosis is a condition where your bones become less dense, leading to an increased risk of fractures and breaks. Declining oestrogen levels that occur during menopause will decrease bone thickness in women.

Developing alcoholism can worsen this issue, as alcohol impacts calcium absorption by affecting the pancreas and liver. Additionally, moderate alcohol intake and a balanced diet can help maintain bone health, with a focus on a nutrient-rich diet. Exercise and strength training can also improve bone density.

The decrease in oestrogen and progesterone leads to a slower metabolism. Muscle mass decreases, meaning fewer calories are burned, so fat builds up.

Alcohol abuse can disrupt your body’s metabolism by affecting your liver, and alcohol itself is also full of empty calories with little nutrient value. You can maintain a healthy weight whilst going through menopause by:

  • Eating a balanced diet
  • Exercising regularly
  • Maintaining a healthy sleep regime

Alcohol and menopause symptoms can not only worsen a specific time in your life but also potentially lead to long-lasting health issues.

  • Cardiovascular disease: Alcohol can increase your blood pressure, cause arrhythmia, damage your heart muscle, cause palpitations and lead to strokes and heart attacks.
  • Breast cancer: This is the most common type of cancer in women, and alcohol consumption can increase the risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women.
  • Liver health: Alcohol will damage your liver. This can lead to several issues, including cirrhosis, liver cancer and fatal liver damage.
  • Mental health: Alcohol can exacerbate mental health issues you may experience during menopause. This could lead to life-lasting problems or even result in suicide.

Can Alcohol Have Any Benefits for Menopausal Women?

There is some debate over whether moderate alcohol consumption, such as the occasional glass of red wine, can be helpful for women going through menopause.

Wine contains antioxidants, which help protect the cells in your body. A casual drink can have mental health benefits, helping you relax and serve as an excuse to socialise, which is beneficial to your overall health.

However, it’s much agreed upon now that less alcohol is better. If you are already a moderate drinker, then you don’t need to stop completely, but don’t start drinking wine because you think it will help.

It’s all about moderation and making smart, healthy choices.

Tips for Managing Alcohol Intake During Menopause

If you have concerns about menopause and drinking habits, there are steps you can take to reduce your alcohol consumption. These include:

  • Keep a drinking diary: Recording what you drink and when can help you better understand your patterns and know what is triggering your drinking. Seeing clearly how much you are drinking can spur you on to make changes.
  • Choosing non-alcoholic alternatives: There’s a huge market now in non-alcoholic drinks. You can find alternatives that taste like the real thing and help you feel still connected to people in social settings.
  • Healthier coping mechanisms: Exercising, sleeping well, practising mindfulness and taking up new activities are all better ways to cope with stress. Making these lifestyle changes will leave you physically and mentally healthier.

To get support that works for you, it is best to consult a healthcare professional. They can take in all the factors affecting you and present you with a path forward that is best suited to you. Not everyone is the same, and some things that work for others might not be for you, so getting professional help is essential.

Seeking Help for Alcohol Dependency During Menopause

Alcohol and menopause become a problem when the former is used as a coping mechanism. If you use alcohol to deal with the stress and emotional changes, you risk becoming dependent. This dependency could lead to addiction. If you are struggling with alcohol dependence, then you should seek professional help.

At Ocean Recovery, we have many treatment options available. Our comprehensive treatment programmes include detox, therapy and long-term recovery support to ensure you have the best chance at achieving and maintaining sobriety.

Getting Help with Alcohol and Menopause

Menopause is a difficult time for women, and alcohol will only worsen your experience. It can exacerbate mental health, bone and hormone issues – leading to more severe problems.

For a smoother menopause transition, you could focus on moderation and making healthy lifestyle changes.

If you are struggling with menopause and drinking habits, reach out to Ocean Recovery today. We are an alcohol rehab that can offer guidance, support and access to addiction treatment.

John Gillen - Director at Ocean Recovery

John Gillen - Author - Last updated: March 12, 2025

John is one UK’s leading professionals in the addiction recovery industry. Pioneering new treatment techniques such as NAD+ and ongoing research into new therapy techniques such as systematic laser therapy, John is committed to providing the very best treatment for people throughout the UK and Europe. During his extremely busy schedule, John likes to regularly update our blog section with the latest news and trends in the industry to keep visitors to our site as well informed as possible on everything related to addiction treatment.