Lab study, 1986
Does alcohol affect you differently at different times in your menstrual cycle?
No clear difference. Women's bodies processed alcohol similarly at different cycle phases, and alcohol's effects on memory, balance, and attention were not significantly different by cycle phase.
What they did
10 women aged 21-24 with regular 28-31 day cycles participated in three test sessions scheduled during flow, midcycle, and premenstrual phases. In each session, they drank alcohol at 0.65 grams per kilogram of body weight and then completed tests of memory, balance, attention, and blood alcohol measurement. Tests were done at baseline, while absorbing alcohol, and while removing it.
What they found
Peak blood alcohol levels reached 83±2 mg/dL. On one attention test (coding vigilance), women performed better during flow than during midcycle or premenstrual phases. However, there was no significant interaction between cycle phase and alcohol effects, meaning cycle phase did not change how alcohol affected their performance.
What it means for you
Your menstrual cycle phase probably does not substantially change how alcohol affects your brain and body. The study was limited because it involved only 10 women, a single dose of alcohol, and testing in a controlled lab setting.
10
women
83±2 mg/dL
peak blood alcohol level
0.65 g/kg
alcohol dose
About the study
- Original title
- The effect of menstrual cycle on blood alcohol levels and behavior
- Authors
- Brick J, Nathan PE, Westrick E et al.
- Journal
- Journal of studies on alcohol
- Year
- 1986
- Study design
- Lab study
- Participants
- 10
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.15288/jsa.1986.47.472
Topics
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