title: The effects of moderate alcohol consumption on female hormone levels and reproductive function.
abstract: Studies that have investigated the effect of moderate alcohol consumption on the level of oestrogens and progesterone in both pre- and post-menopausal women are reviewed. It is concluded that several lines of evidence point to an alcohol-induced rise in natural or synthetic oestrogen levels in women. Proposed mechanisms include an increased rate of aromatization of testosterone or a decreased rate of oxidation of oestradiol to oestrone. Moderate alcohol consumption has also been linked to decreased progesterone levels in pre-menopausal women. The relevance of these findings to female health, fertility and the timing of the menopause is considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy and Art Therapy, Queen Margaret University College, Duke Street, Edinburgh EH8 6HF, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gill
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000378:metabolism*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000378:metabolism*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000378:metabolism; D017697:Premenopause / Q000378:metabolism; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D011374:Progesterone