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The Relationship Between Menopause, Perimenopause and Alcohol Use: A Scoping Review
Filipa M A A Teixeira1,2,3, Mihai Picior3, Oluwatobi Ajewole3
1South West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust, UK.
Substance Use & Addiction Journal
|August 10, 2026
Summary
The link between menopause and alcohol use is unclear, with mixed findings on symptoms and mental health. More research is needed to understand this complex relationship in women's health.
Area of Science:
- Women's Health
- Psychiatry
- Endocrinology
Background:
- The interplay between the menopausal transition, alcohol consumption, and women's health is not well understood.
- Overlapping symptoms of alcohol use and menopause can lead to misdiagnosis and hinder access to care.
- Existing literature needs mapping to clarify the relationship between menopause, perimenopause, and alcohol use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map existing literature on the relationship between menopause, perimenopause, and alcohol use.
- To synthesize current evidence on alcohol's impact on menopausal physiology and symptoms.
- To identify knowledge gaps regarding menopausal transition's effect on alcohol use patterns and the psychosocial context.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive scoping review was performed across major databases (Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, PsycINFO).
- Studies included perimenopausal, menopausal, or postmenopausal women with any reported alcohol use.
- Data were thematically synthesized to identify patterns and gaps in the literature.
Main Results:
- Fifty-seven studies were analyzed, with a focus on postmenopausal women; perimenopausal populations were under-represented.
- Moderate alcohol intake showed associations with hormonal changes (e.g., higher estradiol), but effects on menopausal timing were inconsistent.
- Evidence linking menopausal transition to increased alcohol consumption was not consistent, and mental health outcomes were variably reported.
Conclusions:
- Current literature offers a limited understanding of the menopause-alcohol relationship.
- Conflicting findings exist regarding the impact on vasomotor symptoms, sleep, sexual function, and psychological well-being.
- Further research is necessary to clarify these complex interactions in women's health.
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