We’ve all been there: you’re tired and stressed out at the end of a long day, and all you can think about is reaching for a well-deserved glass of red wine while stretched out on the sofa.
Well, if you’ve ever noticed that you find yourself craving some vino or a crisp G&T at certain times of the month more than others, then science has some intriguing news for you.
It turns out women do drink more alcohol right before and after their period – and it’s all down to your oestrogen levels, apparently.
According to new research from the University of Illinois in the US, women are more likely to desire alcohol when their oestrogen levels are highest because it feels more ‘rewarding’, Mail Online reports.
This usually takes place on day 12 of the menstrual cycle, just before ovulation and around a week after your period.
There’s then a second, slightly lower oestrogen rise around day 20-22 of your cycle, right before your next period begins.
‘When estrogen levels are higher, alcohol is much more rewarding,’ writes lead researcher Amy Lasek in the journal PLOS One.
‘Women may be more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol or more likely to overindulge during certain stages of their cycle when oestrogen levels are higher, or may be more likely to seek out alcohol during those stages,’ she concludes.
While the study was conducted on female mice, the team believes the findings show that women may be more vulnerable to over-indulging with a bottle of vino at certain times.
‘Binge drinking can increase the risk of developing alcoholism, so women need to be careful about how much alcohol they drink,’ adds Dr Lasek.
‘They should be aware that they may sometimes inadvertently over-consume alcohol because the area of the brain involved in alcohol reward is responding very strongly.’
