Can I drink alcohol during menstruation?

It is generally not recommended to drink alcohol during menstruation. Alcohol may worsen menstrual discomfort and affect hormone levels.

Alcohol inhibits the secretion of antidiuretic hormone, leading to increased water loss in the body, which may aggravate common discomforts such as bloating and headaches during menstruation. The acetaldehyde produced during the metabolism of alcohol can stimulate blood vessels to dilate, which may increase menstrual blood volume or prolong bleeding time. Some women's tolerance to alcohol decreases during menstruation, and they are more likely to experience reactions such as dizziness and nausea. Alcohol also interferes with the liver's metabolism of estrogen, which may aggravate mood swings or breast tenderness caused by hormone fluctuations.

Small amounts of alcohol may have less impact on some women, such as drinking low-alcohol alcohol and not exceeding 100 ml. However, individual differences are large. For some people, even a small amount of alcohol can significantly aggravate dysmenorrhea or cause menstrual disorders. For women with underlying medical conditions such as endometriosis and premenstrual syndrome, alcohol may trigger more severe symptoms.

You should maintain adequate fluid intake during menstruation, and drink warm brown sugar ginger tea and other drinks to help relieve discomfort. If you have severe dysmenorrhea or abnormal menstrual flow, you should seek medical examination promptly. It is more prudent to resume moderate drinking 2-3 days after the end of menstruation. People with special physiques need to adjust their drinking habits according to doctor's advice.