Is It Safe To Drink Alcohol With PCOS? Expert Explains

When dealing with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), many questions arise about what can help manage the condition and what might worsen it. One common query is whether it’s safe to drink alcohol when you have PCOS. According to Healthline, PCOS is a condition where the ovaries produce an abnormal amount of androgen, which leads to the formation of cysts in the ovaries. These cysts can cause a range of symptoms, including irregular menstrual cycles, acne, obesity, and mood swings. Managing these symptoms often requires significant changes to diet and lifestyle.

However, alcohol consumption is a factor that can complicate the management of PCOS, says Dietitian Tallene Hacatoryan

“Since all of us have unique bodies with PCOS, certain amounts and types of alcohol can trigger us differently from one Cyster to another. For example, alcohol with sugary mixes may spike our blood sugar and trigger our insulin resistance or inflammatory symptoms. The good news though, is that there are gluten and dairy-free options,” she explains.

In her post, she also points out the reason why consuming alcohol can worsen your PCOS symptoms.

Alcohol is known to have high carbohydrate and sugar content, which can be particularly hard on the body. For individuals with PCOS, drinking alcohol can exacerbate symptoms. When consumed, alcohol raises blood sugar levels, triggers inflammation, and disrupts hormone regulation. This can lead to further menstrual irregularities, which are already a common issue for those with PCOS.

Moreover, PCOS can put a lot of stress on the liver. Adding alcohol into the mix only doubles this stress, making women with PCOS more prone to liver diseases. Depression is another common symptom of PCOS, and alcohol consumption can worsen this, leading to a further decline in mental health.

Certain types of alcohol, such as red wine and beer, are high in carbohydrates. This can lead to increased insulin levels and insulin resistance, further contributing to menstrual irregularity. Because everyone’s body reacts differently, the amount and type of alcohol that might trigger symptoms can vary from one person to another. For example, alcohol with sugary mixers might spike blood sugar levels and trigger insulin resistance or inflammatory symptoms in some individuals.

Dietitian Tallene Hacatoryan suggests that moderation is essential when it comes to alcohol and PCOS. She advises cutting out alcohol for 30 days and then reintroducing it slowly to understand how much can be tolerated without triggering symptoms. She further adds that the American Heart Association recommends that moderation is around 4 ounces of wine per day.

However, when starting to manage PCOS symptoms, it might be wise to limit alcohol to a couple of drinks a week to see how the body reacts. Once you have a better understanding of how alcohol affects you, you can evaluate whether a moderate amount is manageable without worsening your symptoms.