Alcohol use comes with many unexpected side effects. Women, in particular, often have unique obstacles when they try to beat an addiction to this legal substance. For this reason, any woman looking to overcome their dependency on alcohol should seek professional help. The menstrual cycle is one area where a woman may notice changes related to alcohol use and abuse.
Alcohol Use and Changes in the Body
Alcohol affects the body in numerous ways, including in the reproductive organs. A woman’s menstrual cycle and alcohol use are directly related. Furthermore, women who drink excessive quantities of alcohol often find they have liver and heart problems. One reason women struggle in these areas is they become intoxicated quickly. It takes less alcohol for a woman to get drunk when compared to the amount of alcohol a man must consume to get drunk. Furthermore, women become addicted to this substance more readily than men. They must often enroll in an IOP program for women in Orange County, CA, to beat this addiction.
How Does Alcohol Alter the Menstrual Cycle?
When a woman drinks, her body reacts. This alcohol consumption can lead to hormonal fluctuations in the body. Any shift in estrogen and progesterone levels within the body can lead to period irregularities. Other symptoms may also come with this alcohol consumption.
A woman might find she gains or loses weight because her metabolism has changed in response to alcohol consumption. Mood swings, anxiety, and depression are common in women who drink heavily, and these females often find they have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Many women report changes in their libido, and those who consume large quantities of alcohol may struggle with decreased bone density. They are at higher risk of a fracture.
Hormone fluctuations caused by excessive alcohol consumption also put a woman at higher risk of developing breast cancer. As the amount of alcohol consumed increases, the risk of a woman’s period stopping altogether increases. She may find she has other issues with her reproductive system. For example, some women find their menstrual cramps worsen, and they bleed heavily, thanks to the dehydration the alcohol brings on.
Seeking Treatment
Any woman struggling with alcohol use issues should seek treatment immediately. When her period stops completely, she must learn what is going on. If it is related to her alcohol use, then she needs a treatment program designed for women. This program will address the specific problems she is experiencing as a result of her alcohol use.
Outpatient programs are common, as they allow women to get the treatment they need while still fulfilling their other obligations. Being surrounded by other women will enable them to open up and discuss their problems. These programs often combine a range of therapies to provide a holistic approach to recovery.
With the proper treatment, a person can develop coping skills that are useful in everyday life. They build a community of peers going through the same process and have staff to support them as they work to recover from the addiction.
Recovering from an addiction takes time and effort. As the process moves forward, a woman might find her period returns to normal. If it doesn’t, it’s time to seek medical treatment to learn what is happening. A doctor can help the woman cope with any medical issues related to drug use and work in conjunction with the addiction recovery team to get her back on track.