Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: MarinaM on September 04, 2011, 11:45:46 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Estrogen and Alcohol
Post by: MarinaM on September 04, 2011, 11:45:46 PM
Post by: MarinaM on September 04, 2011, 11:45:46 PM
For the past few nights I've been downing a good amount of alcohol, always remembering to take my estrogen after a buzz settles in. Does alcohol change the effect of estrogen?
(I must tell you, it's been a party weekend, and it may continue well into next week)
I know both activities have adverse effects upon blood pressure and such, so I should probably cool it...
(I must tell you, it's been a party weekend, and it may continue well into next week)
I know both activities have adverse effects upon blood pressure and such, so I should probably cool it...
Title: Re: Estrogen and Alcohol
Post by: mechakitty on September 05, 2011, 02:47:59 AM
Post by: mechakitty on September 05, 2011, 02:47:59 AM
Okay, officially, if you check those online drug interactions websites, alcohol is not listed as a contraindication specifically.
As for spironolactone, it could potentate the effects of alcohol (i.e. make them stronger). Careful with that one.
But estrogen...well, some people will say that alcohol negates or reduces the effects of estrogen, or destroys the estrogen molecule (or something), but I can't find an official source for this assumption. If anyone would like to chime in and school me with some pharmacological studies / official information, feel free. I'd like to learn the truth about this one.
I wouldn't drink to excess; if you're taking estrogen in pill form, your liver is already occupied with processing that estrogen, and that could add to the stress on your liver, and possibly raise your chances of liver inflammation. Then again, I have no idea how much of a risk this actually is, because the medical websites I checked did not list alcohol and estrogen as specifically being contraindicated together. That said, I wouldn't go overboard, but drinking within reason shouldn't technically be an issue.
An MTF friend of mine drank a glass of red wine before bed every night with her estradiol. Red wine helps with circulation, and can help prevent blood clots. So there are benefits to low amounts of certain alcohol, say wine, and she never had any problems with liver function or other adverse reactions. Also, the hormones worked beautifully.
Again, I'm not the authority on this. Someone else fill in for me. ;)
As for spironolactone, it could potentate the effects of alcohol (i.e. make them stronger). Careful with that one.
But estrogen...well, some people will say that alcohol negates or reduces the effects of estrogen, or destroys the estrogen molecule (or something), but I can't find an official source for this assumption. If anyone would like to chime in and school me with some pharmacological studies / official information, feel free. I'd like to learn the truth about this one.
I wouldn't drink to excess; if you're taking estrogen in pill form, your liver is already occupied with processing that estrogen, and that could add to the stress on your liver, and possibly raise your chances of liver inflammation. Then again, I have no idea how much of a risk this actually is, because the medical websites I checked did not list alcohol and estrogen as specifically being contraindicated together. That said, I wouldn't go overboard, but drinking within reason shouldn't technically be an issue.
An MTF friend of mine drank a glass of red wine before bed every night with her estradiol. Red wine helps with circulation, and can help prevent blood clots. So there are benefits to low amounts of certain alcohol, say wine, and she never had any problems with liver function or other adverse reactions. Also, the hormones worked beautifully.
Again, I'm not the authority on this. Someone else fill in for me. ;)
Title: Re: Estrogen and Alcohol
Post by: envie on September 10, 2011, 03:45:07 PM
Post by: envie on September 10, 2011, 03:45:07 PM
Spironolactone is diuretic which means you are rather risking dehydration as alcohol is also dehydrating.
Remember to drink plenty of water too. I was once a bit dehydrated and then took the spiro and went to bed.
I had the worst hang over in my whole life with just few drinks but really only because I didn't drink enough water
and not because I was doing beer bongs or something. I mean I was sick for 2 days!
add on: and of course as mentioned before your liver is taking a beating!
Remember to drink plenty of water too. I was once a bit dehydrated and then took the spiro and went to bed.
I had the worst hang over in my whole life with just few drinks but really only because I didn't drink enough water
and not because I was doing beer bongs or something. I mean I was sick for 2 days!
add on: and of course as mentioned before your liver is taking a beating!