---
title: Does drinking alcohol change at different times of the menstrual cycle?
description: The results were mixed. Some research found women drink more before menstruation, some found they drink less, and some found no change. The differences may be
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-relationship-between-alcohol-consumption-and-menstrual-cycle-a-review-of-the-2015/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- Does drinking alcohol change at different times of the menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 2015

# Does drinking alcohol change at different times of the menstrual cycle?

The results were mixed. Some research found women drink more before menstruation, some found they drink less, and some found no change. The differences may be because researchers measured the cycle and alcohol in different ways.

 Early or limited evidence

13 published studies of women and alcohol use

## What they did

Researchers reviewed 13 published studies about whether and how alcohol use changes across the menstrual cycle in women.

## What they found

Of the 13 studies reviewed, some found the week before menstruation was linked to increased alcohol use, some found decreased use, and some found no link. Why the results differed is unclear.

## What it means for you

We don't yet have clear answers about whether the menstrual cycle affects drinking, because studies measured things in different ways. More research using consistent methods is needed to understand the connection.

13

studies reviewed

## About the study

Original title The relationship between alcohol consumption and menstrual cycle: a review of the literature Authors Carroll HA, Lustyk MK, Larimer ME Journal Archives of women's mental health Year 2015 Study design Survey study Participants 13 What was tested None - systematic review of existing research Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s00737-015-0568-2](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-015-0568-2)

## Topics

[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Survey study, 2011

Is premenstrual syndrome related to major depression?

Cohort study, 1999

What causes negative mood during menopause?

Survey study, 2025

Are premenstrual symptoms linked to depression in teenage girls?

Survey study, 2025

Is PMS connected to mental health problems and lifestyle choices?

Survey study, 2024

Which lifestyle choices affect PMS symptoms?

Survey study, 2023

Does drinking behavior change across the menstrual cycle?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗