Drinking Raises Estogen Levels

DRINKING TRIPLES ORALLY SUPPLEMENTED ESTROGEN LEVEL
Alcohol Does Not Change Level of Natural Estrogen

Science News Press Releases for the week of December 4, 1996

CHICAGO--Drinking alcohol can substantially increase circulating estrogen in postmenopausal women taking oral estrogen, according to an article in this week's issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Elizabeth S. Ginsburg, M.D., from the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass., and colleagues conducted a double-blind, crossover study of 24 postmenopausal women to determine the effects of moderate alcohol consumption on the circulating level of estradiol, the most important of the estrogen hormones.

The study reported that estradiol levels increased by 327 percent following alcohol ingestion in women on estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). Alcohol did not change estradiol significantly in women who did not use ERT.

The researchers write: "Changes in estradiol were significantly correlated with changes in blood alcohol levels during the ascending limb of the blood alcohol curve as well as during the descending limb of the blood alcohol curve. Moreover, significant increases in estradiol were detected within 10 minutes after drinking when blood alcohol levels were low."

There are an estimated 37,948,000 women over the age of 50 years in the United States, and approximately 25 percent of postmenopausal women use some form of ERT according to information cited in the study. It is generally acknowledged that ERT has a complex pattern of risks and benefits. ERT may reduce risk of developing osteoporosis and heart disease. However, ERT may also have adverse effects such as an increased risk of cholelithiasis and breast cancer.

Moderate alcohol consumption also appears to decrease the incidence of coronary artery disease but may increase the incidence of breast cancer. The combination of ERT and alcohol ingestion may be additive and increase the risk of breast cancer more than either alone. Little information is available about the potential interactions of ERT and acute alcohol ingestion in post menopausal women. If alcohol alters the intended biological effects of ERT, this could shift the risk-benefit ratio in an undesirable direction, according to the researchers.

There is also evidence to suggest that there is a cumulative effect of regular alcohol ingestion on estradiol in postmenopausal women. One study of 164 postmenopausal women found that serum estradiol was significantly higher in women drinking one to 28 drinks weekly than in abstainers.

The authors conclude: "As evidence of the benefits of ERT for postmenopausal women accumulates, it is important for the physician to evaluate the risks and benefits for each individual on the basis of her medical history and lifestyle. Our data indicate that women who drank alcohol and use oral estradiol for estrogen replacement may have significantly higher circulating estradiol levels than those reported in studies advocating the use of ERT."

Tags: Alcohol and Health Effects