PCOS and Alcohol: Everything You Need to Know

6 min

Published Jan 3rd, 2023

Updated Oct 2nd, 2024

Written by Terry Sullivan

Verified by Kate Davies (RN, BSc (Hons), FP Cert)

When managing PCOS, what we drink is just as important as what we eat. In this blog, we’ll answer common questions about the relationship between alcohol and PCOS, helping you make informed choices.

Does drinking alcohol make PCOS symptoms worse?

There’s strong evidence that lifestyle choices, including alcohol consumption, can affect PCOS symptoms. While PCOS is a condition you will manage throughout your life, making positive changes, such as moderating alcohol intake, can help improve symptoms and overall quality of life. Diet, exercise, and alcohol are all factors worth considering in your routine.

Some key elements to consider when thinking about PCOS and alcohol:

Healthy lifestyle

It’s important to acknowledge that managing weight with PCOS can be very challenging. While studies show that losing a small percentage of weight can improve PCOS symptoms, it’s not easy, and the journey looks different for everyone. Reducing alcohol intake may help, as alcohol is high in calories and can contribute to weight gain. But the priority should be about making choices that support your overall health, not just the scale.

Insulin resistance

Most women with PCOS experience some level of insulin resistance. This means your body has to produce more insulin than normal to regulate blood sugar, which can increase androgen production and worsen PCOS symptoms. Alcohol can add to this, as it affects blood sugar levels, leading to more cravings and making healthy choices harder. It’s a cycle that can be tough to break, but reducing alcohol intake might help keep insulin levels more stable.

Mental health

PCOS is linked to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and stress. Alcohol can add to this, especially if you’re drinking regularly or heavily. It can disrupt the brain’s chemical balance, worsening your mood and causing anxious thoughts, particularly after a night of drinking. It’s something to consider if mental health is already a concern for you.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

NAFLD is more common in women with PCOS, and it can be linked to several factors like obesity, insulin resistance, high blood sugar, and elevated fats in the blood. Excess androgens, which are often higher in women with PCOS, may also play a role in the development of this condition. While NAFLD isn’t directly caused by alcohol, drinking heavily can make it worse and lead to additional liver damage. If you have NAFLD, it’s generally recommended to avoid alcohol to protect your liver health.

Sleep disturbance

Research has shown an association between PCOS and sleep disturbances. Drinking alcohol is also linked to poor sleep quality and duration as it impacts the deep sleep state you are able to achieve, thus excessive drinking can further exacerbate PCOS patients’ sleep troubles.

Does alcohol affect insulin levels?

Yes, alcohol can affect insulin levels. Insulin is a hormone that helps to manage blood sugar levels. Insulin resistance is seen in over 50% of women with PCOS. In people with insulin resistance, the body does not respond to insulin as efficiently as it should and so they need to produce more insulin than normal in order to process sugar, this can lead to high insulin levels in the blood.

Alcohol can complicate this, as it causes blood sugar levels to rise or fall unpredictably. This can then have a knock-on effect on other hormones in the body and in turn, can trigger and worsen PCOS symptoms as well as further contribute to irregular periods.

Does alcohol affect hormone levels?

Alcohol can impact hormone levels, especially oestrogen and progesterone – numerous studies have shown that alcohol consumption increases oestrogen levels and decreases progesterone levels, which are already unbalanced in PCOS. This can further disrupt your cycle or worsen symptoms. Keeping alcohol intake moderate may help keep your hormones more stable.

Can you drink alcohol while taking Inofolic Alpha?

There is no specific reason why you cannot drink alcohol whilst taking Inofolic Alpha. You may just wish to reduce your alcohol intake, especially if you are trying to conceive or manage your PCOS symptoms. It is just worth considering the health implications of drinking alcohol when you have PCOS as mentioned in this blog post.

Does alcohol affect fertility for those with PCOS?

Yes, alcohol can affect fertility for anyone, including those with PCOS. Research shows that frequent drinking can reduce fertility and make it harder to conceive. One study found that women who drank more than 14 servings of alcohol a week had an 18% lower chance of getting pregnant. Alcohol’s impact on hormones (changing the levels of oestrogen and progesterone), egg health (reducing your ovarian reserve, and menstrual cycles and ovulation, can further complicate fertility for women with PCOS. Additionally, current guidelines suggest avoiding alcohol entirely when trying to conceive.

Should you stop drinking alcohol if you have PCOS?

It is totally your decision if you stop drinking alcohol or not because of your PCOS, but as discussed in this blog post excessive alcohol consumption can worsen your PCOS symptoms and can also impact fertility. Another consideration is if you have been prescribed any medications by the doctor (e.g. Metformin) then mixing these medications with alcohol is not recommended. Always speak to your doctor before drinking whilst on medication.

Conclusion

When thinking about managing your PCOS symptoms or trying for a baby, we think that it is best to think about your lifestyle as a whole rather than just looking at alcohol consumption in isolation, for example, try and think about your diet and exercise regime too. If you really enjoy a glass of wine do not deprive yourself completely, after all, life is for living, we just believe that moderation is key. Staying hydrated, eating well, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can make a big difference. If you have concerns, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor to figure out what’s best for you.