April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and I want to highlight the adverse effects of alcohol on women. Understanding how being under the influence impacts women differently than men is essential.
Alcohol impacts men and women differently. Many people believe it is solely due to men being larger and able to handle the alcohol better, but weight is not the only factor to consider.
Of women who drink, 1 in 10 have more than one drink daily. Women are more likely to drink too much if they have any of the following:
🍸 The ability to ‘hold her liquor’ more than others.
🆘 History of childhood physical or sexual abuse.
😔 History of depression.
🍻 Partner who drinks excessively.
🍾 Parents or siblings with drinking problems.
Drinking more than moderate amounts of alcohol is more likely to damage a woman’s health than a man’s. Take a look at the impacts listed below:
Health Risks:
Women who drink more than a cocktail a day have a greater risk of heart disease, brain disease, liver disease, and breast cancer.
Physiological differences:
Body Composition: women, on average, have a higher percentage of body fat and less body water than men. Women generally reach higher blood concentrations (BACs) than men after consuming the same amount of alcohol.
Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH) women produce less of the enzyme ADH, impacting metabolization. The impact means more alcohol enters the bloodstream, leading to a faster rise and longer-lasting (BAC) effects of alcohol.
Hormonal Fluctuations: Hormonal changes throughout a woman’s menstrual cycle affect alcohol metabolization.
Adverse Effects during Menopause:
♦ Worse mood swings
♠ Exacerbated hot flashes and night sweats
♣ Interference with hormone therapy
◊ Can disrupt sleep patterns
♥ Can Accerlate Bone loss by interfering with calcium absorption
Women, Alcohol, and Mental Health:
😳 Anxiety
😞 Depression
⚡️ Borderline personality disorders
🍽 Eating disorders
💊 Abusing other drugs
◊ Sexual assault
∇ Domestic violence
And may turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism.
Lastly, moderation is essential when consuming alcohol. This post highlights how harmful even a few weekly cocktails can impact women’s health.
Thank you for visiting The Age of Grace; I appreciate you.
