A prospective analysis of alcohol consumption and onset of perimenopause

We prospectively assessed the association between alcohol consumption and onset of perimenopause in women of late reproductive age using data from the Harvard Study of Moods and Cycles. Specific types of alcoholic beverages - red wine, white wine, beer, and liquor - were evaluated.

Among 502 women aged 36-45 years residing in seven Boston communities, we assessed self-reported perimenopausal symptoms over a 5-year period. The onset of perimenopause was defined using changes in menstrual characteristics. We administered a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire at enrollment to measure regular alcohol consumption during the past year. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals were derived from Cox regression models.

No association was found between total alcohol consumption and time to perimenopause. Compared with women consuming <1 alcoholic drink per month, HRs for those drinking red wine in quantities of 1-3 glasses per month, 1 glass per week, or >or=2 glasses per week were all below 1.0, after accounting for other sources of alcohol. Among never smokers, the inverse association with red wine was stronger and a positive association was observed with liquor consumption although numbers were small. No associations were observed with white wine or beer.

While there was no association between total alcohol consumption and onset of perimenopause, there was some suggestion of an inverse association between red wine and risk of perimenopause, particularly among never smokers.