Two Facts on Alcohol's Effects on a Woman's Hormones

It's a given fact in this day and age that although there are some beneficial properties to drinking alcohol, the risks far outnumber the benefits. Another given fact is the way in which alcohol affects women versus its affect on men - it does so far differently. The basis of this information is scientific studies which have proven that alcohol is metabolized differently in women than it is in men, which is largely attributed to a woman's biological makeup.

In regards to the absorption of alcohol in a woman's body, it has been found that due to woman's higher fat to water rate, women get drunk faster, stay drunk longer, and typically become seriously ill as a result of chronic alcoholism.

As per the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a hormone is defined as a product of living cells that circulates in bodily fluids and has a specific effect on some other cells. Hormones are secreted from various glands within the body such as the pituitary, thyroid, gonads, hypothalamus, etc., and are circulated throughout the body to act upon different tissues and organs at different times, for their own distinct reasons. For hormones to function properly, their timing and the amounts secreted must be accurate and well coordinated. Alcohol consumption can interfere with the proper function of some hormone-releasing glands, and can cause serious health problems. This being the case there are two important facts I thought I should share regarding the effects of alcohol on a woman's hormones.

Fact 1: Alcohol Impairs a Woman's Reproductive Functions
As we all know, a woman's reproductive system is regulated by a number of hormones. These hormones are produced in the ovaries, the hypothalamus, and pituitary glands. These hormones are responsible for breast development and distribution of pubic hair during puberty, monthly menstrual cycle regulation, and fertility. It has been found that alcoholism impairs the production and/or release of these necessary hormones, which has resulted in hormonal deficiencies, sexual dysfunction, infertility, and possibly miscarriages.

Fact 2: Alcohol Impairs the Regulation of Blood Sugar Levels
In the human body, sugar (glucose) is the main energy source for all tissues. Glucose is either obtained from food, manufactured in the body, or is obtained from the breakdown of glycogen in the liver. Two hormones secreted from the pancreas, insulin and glucagon, regulate the constant flow of glucose in the blood. The consistency of glucose in the blood is important, especially for the brain, because the brain is dependent upon glucose supplied by the blood for its necessary functions - brief periods of low glucose levels can cause some brain damage. It has been found that heavy consumption of alcohol impairs the regulation of blood sugar levels, which may cause hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, and diabetes.

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