Cheers to being a woman!

Most of us enjoy a drink. And not just one or two... But did you know that alcohol and our hormones don’t really mix? Just as we can all feel a hangover from too much to drink, our menstrual cycle can kind of also have one. And here’s the science bit – alcohol is broken down by our liver, but the liver also plays a big role in processing our hormones. If it spends too much time processing last night’s festivities, then your estrogen ends up at the back of the queue so to speak, and won’t be able to leave your body.

Ever noticed that your hangovers vary throughout your cycle?

And that sometimes you can handle three glasses, sometimes four? This is down to fluctuating hormone levels throughout the month. During your period, for example, your female hormones are at their lowest (meaning you can drink more and suffer fewer consequences).

But don’t take that as licence to keep pouring

Alcohol can make period symptoms like cramps, acne and mood swings worse. It can also cause your magnesium levels to plummet, leaving you craving sugar and reaching for the biscuit tin.

Got a night out planned?

🥂 Choose drinks with a low glycemic index like wine or Champagne.

🍷 Don’t drink on an empty stomach (and avoid greasy food because it speeds up glucose absorption).

🍸 Drink water or a mocktail in between each glass of alcohol.

Uups! Overdid it the night before?

💤 Sleep late and have sex (the oxytocin it releases helps to reduce pain).

🥑 Eat something healthy like avocado and eggs (or wholemeal bread and fruit if you’re feeling queasy).

🫖 Drink ginger or green tea to help you detox.

🏃‍♀️ Exercise (outdoors, if you’re up to it).