Before starting HRT I could drink good amounts of alcohol and hardly got drunk...a bit dizzy sometimes, but I never really got drunk. (not that I was a regular drinker, but when meeting my friends I usually order at least some alcoholic beverage).

Some weeks ago I met some old collegues and we all went drinking in a local pub. The thing is, after only one beer I could feel my face burning. When I got up to go to the toilet to see what was happening I realized I was really dizzy! After a hard walk I got into the toilet and looked at the mirror... my cheeks were red as a tomato!

Today, after drinking one glass of wine with my family almost the same thing happened. Not that I got dizzy or drunk, but my face flushed again. It is very apparent and everyone noticed, because I never flushed when drinking alcohol.

Now should I expect to get my face screaming "this person is drunk" every time I drink? Will my alcoholic resistance stay this way while on HRT?

You're obviously having an adverse reaction, you should get your blood pressure checked next time you have a drink. I enjoyed several electric ice teas on my patio during the hot days of summer and wound up in the local hospital for an overnight observation when my blood pressure wen't from it's normal 120/68 average to 220/98. The alcohol and HRT had clashed and drove my BP through the roof.

I'm actually kinda scared to drink now lol. I know moderation should be okay but adverse reactions? Eeesh. Scurry! I never equated flushed cheeks with low tolerance though. My cheeks used to get burn-y tingly after a few swigs sips of red wine but it'd take at least half the bottle before I considered myself a bit drunk.

For what it's worth, Ashey, the red face after a little bit of alcohol is normal for many people, especially if you have Asian heritage.

You aren't alone it seems.

After decades of being very tolerant to alcohol, about a month ago after about half a glass of wine, my lips and chin got really hot and as red as they get after a good electrolysis session.  I tested it a bit a couple of days later and the same thing happened.  Beer may still be Ok and I have yet to test gin and tonic.  However, I have had a couple of gastro attacks since starting HRT about 6 weeks ago so beer may be off as well (I am testing that again as I type!).  I now leave wine alone and may stop all drinking.  I don't seem to have blood pressure issues generally but if I notice anything again, I may test it.  Yesterday at the doctor it was 120/80.

Don't know why it happens and what it is related to but HRT seems to be the cause.  Lifestyle change coming up, I guess !

From my understanding, testosterone acts as an agent to speed up the metabolising of alcohol and breaking it down within the body.  As part of most HRT regimes T levels should be reduced to normal female levels. 

As the body is not breaking down alcohol as rapidly as it used to blood alcohol level remain higher for longer, hence, since hrt a few glasses of wine can get me quite merry, whereas previously the same amount of booze would have me slightly tipsy...SCIENCE!!!

Yeah similar things happen to me I'm infamous for begin a complete lightweight I have 1 drink I'm completely smashed red face and all Oddly I then Sober up like 4 hours later. The redness is Caused by a lower amount of Dehydrogenase Enzymes in our blood.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_flush_reaction

It can be genetic or who knows it might be caused by HRT regimes.

Yep, I never had much resistance towards alchohol, but now, with loss of weight and on an empty stomach a glass of wine can send me into high orbit.

Same thing happened to me. Back in 2009 I went on a wine tour, had probably the equivalent of 4 full glasses of the stuff through the course of the day, and felt completely fine. About a month ago, though, I was cooking pot roast, decided to go all Julia Child on it and pour myself a little half-glass of wine as I added the wine to the broth, and suddenly 20 minutes later I felt like my face was burning up, I felt woozy, and my face looked completely red when I looked in the mirror.

Yup, it seems now we have to be more cautious when drinking alcohol.

Gone are the days of drinking like men! Now we need to behave as real girls and drink just small delicate glasses

I did not expect this kind of effect when starting HRT, but it is very interesting to see our body changing everywhere, even on the amount of enzymes that metabolize alcohol! =D

Women are much more vulnerable than men to adverse consequences of alcohol use.

Women absorb and metabolize alcohol differently than men; in general women have less body water than men of similar body weight, so that women achieve higher concentrations of alcohol in the blood after drinking equivalent amounts of alcohol.

Women have smaller quantities of the enzyme dehydrogenase that breaks down alcohol in the stomach. A Woman will absorb about 30% more alcohol into her bloodstream than a man of the same weight who has consumed an equal amount.

Quote from: Natalia on November 22, 2013, 08:59:37 AM
Women are much more vulnerable than men to adverse consequences of alcohol use.
Women absorb and metabolize alcohol differently than men; in general women have less body water than men of similar body weight, so that women achieve higher concentrations of alcohol in the blood after drinking equivalent amounts of alcohol.
Women have smaller quantities of the enzyme dehydrogenase that breaks down alcohol in the stomach. A Woman will absorb about 30% more alcohol into her bloodstream than a man of the same weight who has consumed an equal amount.

I wonder if those are actually good news or bad news... Just kidding

Quote from: ♡ Emily ♡ on November 22, 2013, 09:13:59 AM
I wonder if those are actually good news or bad news... Just kidding

Meh, I like the idea of a night out costing a lot less, just need to actually remember that I can't drink anywhere near as much as I used to (though that does mean that I don't spend as much to get drunk!)

Quote from: Kaylee on November 22, 2013, 10:01:54 AM
Meh, I like the idea of a night out costing a lot less, just need to actually remember that I can't drink anywhere near as much as I used to (though that does mean that I don't spend as much to get drunk!)

Kaylee,
     As pretty as you look you should be getting free drinks sent to your table by male admirers like the cis gals do and take advantage of the "female privilege" perks hon!

Quote from: Shantel on November 22, 2013, 10:06:42 AM
Kaylee,
     As pretty as you look you should be getting free drinks sent to your table by male admirers like the cis gals do and take advantage of the "female privilege" perks hon!

Where's that "shy blush" emote when you need it!

Quote from: Kaylee on November 22, 2013, 10:23:38 AM
Where's that "shy blush" emote when you need it!

Hehehe you are so cute! 

It could be the early signs of rosacea. Here is a link

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/rosacea-topic-overview

I have rosacea and any kind of booze will make it flair up. Wine will cause my face to turn cherry red for hours.

Quote from: DanicaCarin on November 22, 2013, 10:36:58 AM
It could be the early signs of rosacea. Here is a link

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/rosacea-topic-overview

I have rosacea and any kind of booze will make it flair up. Wine will cause my face to turn cherry red for hours.

Ohh that makes sense, hadn't thought about that. I might have mild rosacea because I always have a bit of redness around my cheeks, like I'm about to break out or have a rash. Would a flare up cause or add to the burning sensation? Or would it just be redder?

Quote from: Ashey on November 22, 2013, 11:43:14 AM
Ohh that makes sense, hadn't thought about that. I might have mild rosacea because I always have a bit of redness around my cheeks, like I'm about to break out or have a rash. Would a flare up cause or add to the burning sensation? Or would it just be redder?

That was just a suggestion of the cause. It may be totally related to the booze. Redness(flushing) isn't unheard of after drinking. But if you find you reguarly have redness, it may be worth a trip to the doctor. There is no "cure" for rosecea, just treatment methods. Most are diet & behaivor modification. Don't drink, stay out of the Sun, ect. There are antibiotics used as treatments, as well as laser therapy.

Best of luck....

Danica