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Alcohol use and menopause

During the perimenopausal and postmenopausal years, heavy alcohol use can affect your long-term health. Limit your alcohol intake to 1 drink per day. For a woman, 7 standard drinks a week or more than 3 drinks in a day is considered heavy alcohol use.1 Drinking too much alcohol:

  • May cause menopause-like symptoms by changing your hormone levels.
  • Increases your risk of developing heart disease and osteoporosis.

Citations

  1. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2005, revised 2007). Helping Patients With Alcohol Problems: A Health Practitioner's Guide (NIH Publication No. 07-3769). Washington, DC: National Institutes of Health. Also available online: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/guide.

Author Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Pat Truman
Associate Editor Terrina Vail
Primary Medical Reviewer Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH
- Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Carla J. Herman, MD, MPH
- Internal Medicine
Last Updated May 26, 2006

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: May 26, 2006
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
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