Alcohol during your period: What you should know

The topic of alcohol during your period raises many questions and sometimes also uncertainties. A glass of wine to relax or a drink with friends at the weekend - is it really that safe when you are menstruating? The effects of alcohol on the body and menstruation are often underestimated. The combination can manifest itself in various ways and sometimes even exacerbate symptoms that are already present due to hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle. In this article, we take a look at the possible consequences of alcohol during your period and introduce you to some healthier alternatives that support your well-being.

Our bodies are particularly sensitive during menstruation. Hormonal fluctuations affect our well-being in many ways. Oestrogen and progesterone, two key hormones of the female cycle, go through peaks and troughs, which can manifest themselves in mood swings, water retention and increased cramps. However, these effects can be intensified by the consumption of alcohol.

Alcohol dilates the blood vessels, which means that the body is better supplied with blood. During your period, this can increase the intensity of menstrual bleeding and intensify pain in the lower abdomen. Alcohol also has a diuretic effect, which means that the body loses more fluid. At a time when the body already needs a lot of energy to maintain the cycle, this extra strain can lead to tiredness, headaches and a kind of "hungover" feeling. Did you know that many people struggle with fatigue during their period? You can read more about this here. Many menstruating women also experience headaches - sometimes with the intensity of a migraine. The keyword here is "menstrual migraine". We explain everything you need to know about this in this blog post.

Alcohol affects the hormonal balance in many ways. Even small amounts of alcohol increase cortisol levels, a hormone that increases stress levels and makes it difficult to relax. For many menstruating women, this means that they are even more irritable and tense during a phase in which they are already often struggling with mood swings. Want to find out more about the effects of stress on the menstrual cycle? Then take a look here. Alcohol also leads to an increase in insulin levels, which has a direct impact on blood sugar levels and can exacerbate energy slumps.

The quality of sleep also suffers, which in turn has a negative effect on hormones. Lack of sleep and irregular sleep disrupt natural hormone regulation and can lead to irregular menstrual cycles and increased PMS symptoms. Avoiding alcohol during this time, or at least greatly reducing it, can therefore help to balance hormonal fluctuations and increase well-being.

Bloating and water retention are symptoms that many menstruating women are familiar with during their period. The body tends to retain more water, which often leads to a "bloated" feeling. Alcohol can exacerbate this symptom as it has a dehydrating effect and causes the body to retain water in order to keep the fluid balance stable.

The liver plays a central role in this, as it has to break down the alcohol and is also responsible for the water balance. If the liver is overloaded by the breakdown of alcohol, it can only perform its tasks to a limited extent, which can lead to increased water retention and bloating. Excessive consumption of alcohol during menstruation can therefore increase bloating and the feeling of "heaviness" - symptoms that most of us already feel during this time anyway. But don't worry: we have a few useful tips for you here to counteract water retention.

Alcohol can not only increase water retention, but also make menstrual pain worse. The reason: alcohol has an inflammatory effect, which means that inflammatory processes in the body are stimulated. During menstruation, the body produces so-called prostaglandins, the body's own messenger substances that cause contractions in the uterus. These inflammatory reactions are often intensified by alcohol, which increases the cramps.

Alcohol can also increase sensitivity to pain, which means that menstrual pain is felt more intensely. The risk of PMS-related headaches also increases, as alcohol irritates the nervous system and lowers the pain threshold. A glass of alcohol can therefore make the pain stronger and harder to bear. For menstruating women who already suffer from severe cramps, it is therefore advisable to avoid alcohol during menstruation.

For many menstruating women, mood swings are an integral part of menstruation. These fluctuations are caused by changes in hormone levels and the general stress on the body during the period. In this context, alcohol acts as an amplifier. The hormone cortisol, which is released by alcohol, often causes an increased stress level, which can manifest itself in tension and nervousness.

In addition, alcohol disrupts the production of the sleep hormone melatonin and thus reduces the quality of sleep. Good, restful sleep is particularly important during your period in order to cope with the physical and emotional challenges of menstruation. The negative effects on sleep quality put additional stress on the body, which often leads to a "spiral" of low mood, tiredness and increased irritability.

Instead of reaching for a glass of wine, there are many healthy and relaxing alternatives that can help to alleviate the discomfort during menstruation and increase your well-being at the same time:

• Herbal teas: Teas such as chamomile, mint or fennel have a calming effect and help to relieve bloating and cramps. Chamomile tea has an anti-inflammatory effect and calms the stomach, while peppermint tea is antispasmodic. So make yourself comfortable with a delicious cup of tea and your favorite book.

• Ginger water: Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and can naturally relieve menstrual pain. A warm glass of ginger water can relax and ease the cramps.

• Water: Who would have thought it - water is a proven panacea that can also work wonders during your period. Especially during your period, it is important to drink enough water to keep negative side effects such as water retention at bay. We have also explained this in this blog post. In addition, sufficient fluid intake can also help with circulatory problems. As you can see in this blog post, these are particularly noticeable during menstruation.

• Warm bath: A hot bath with lavender or chamomile can help to relax muscles and relieve menstrual cramps. The warm water has a calming effect and helps to release tension. When it comes to warmth, you can also resort to the classic hot water bottle. But we at Taynie have something very special up our sleeve: our Taynie heat belt! This is an 'upgrade' to an ordinary hot water bottle, so to speak, as the Velcro fastener prevents it from slipping and therefore stays in place. Take a look at this fluffy game changer here.

There are many myths and half-truths circulating about alcohol and menstruation. One of the most common is that red wine can alleviate menstrual cramps. In reality, however, alcohol acts more as an enhancer and its "blood circulation-promoting" effect can even be counterproductive. Another myth is that alcohol can speed up menstruation - but there is no scientific evidence for this. In fact, research shows that alcohol has negative effects and increases menstrual cramps rather than alleviating them.

We at Taynie therefore recommend limiting alcohol consumption during your period or avoiding it altogether. Instead, there are many healthy alternatives that support the body and help to alleviate menstrual cramps. By being aware of your own body and choosing healthier alternatives, periods often become more pleasant and bearable.

Author: Taynie.de