Pre-menstrual syndrome can be expressed in different ways and affects many women. But according to Spanish researchers, consuming alcohol increases the risk of developing this syndrome and this is proportional to the dose.
Fatigue, irritability, cravings, pain … PMS can be expressed in different ways, but these symptoms could be caused by alcohol consumption, and the effect would be proportional to the dose of alcohol.
In any case, this is what Spanish researchers are finding. They publish the results of their study in the British Medical Journal.
45% more risk when consuming alcohol
The researchers compiled data from previous studies into a statistical analysis. Consuming alcohol increases the risk of having PMS by 45%, and by 79% for women who drink a lot.
In the study, pre-menstrual disorders were primarily identified as mood swings, breast tenderness, fatigue, food cravings, irritability, and depression. According to Spanish scientists, the link between alcohol and PMS could be due to hormones.
During menstruation, alcohol consumption is thought to have an impact on the levels of sex steroid hormones and on gonadotropin. Also, it could be related to the relationship between alcohol and mood-related chemicals in the brain, like serotonin.
Different figures in Europe and America
11% of cases of pre-menstrual syndrome are linked to alcohol consumption. For Europe, this rate is 21%. According to scientists, 30% of women in the world drink alcohol, among them, 6% have a heavy drink.
When considering these data for the regions of Europe and America, the proportions increase. 60% of women drink, of which 12.5% in large quantities.
A still mysterious syndrome
In 2012, Canadian researchers attempted to better understand PMS. According to them, the link between the premenstrual period and the symptoms experienced, such as mood swings, is not entirely established. If the syndrome remains a mystery, 20 to 30% of women feel the symptoms each month.
If in the most complicated cases, drug treatments can be considered, certain simple actions can reduce the extent of the symptoms. For example, physical activity helps to better regulate the fluctuation of sex hormones. Watching your diet to eat a healthy and balanced diet can also limit symptoms by keeping blood sugar levels stable.
#Alcohol intake may be linked to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), say research published in @BMJ_Open https://t.co/AteElFDUVO #pms #health pic.twitter.com/egvJS6DyDq
– BMJ (@bmj_company) April 23, 2018
The risk of endometriosis
If the pain felt during menstruation is very strong, leading to professional or social handicaps, you should talk to your doctor. In some cases, severe pain during menstruation can also indicate endometriosis.
The disease is caused by abnormal migration of endometrial cells outside the uterus. It would affect one in ten women between the ages of 16 and 50. There is another symptom, when the woman also feels pain during intercourse and if it persists. In this case, it is also necessary to consult.
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