Effects of Alcohol Abuse in Women
Increasing evidence suggests that the detrimental effects of chronic alcohol
abuse are more severe for women than men.
Liver Diseases
Women develop alcoholic liver diseases,particularly alcoholic cirrhosis
and hepatitis, after a
comparatively shorter period of heavy drinking and at a lower level of daily drinking than
men. Proportionately, more alcoholic women die of cirrhosis than do alcoholic men. Women
also become more intoxicated than do men, after drinking the same amount of alcohol. This
is due to differences in body weight and hormone releases. Alcohol dependence and related
medical problems, such as brain and liver damage, progress more rapidly in women.
Menstrual Disorders
Menstrual disorders (e.g. painful menstruation, heavy flow, premenstrual
discomfort, and irregular or absent cycles) have been associated with chronic heavy
drinking. These disorders can have adverse effects on fertility. Further, continued
drinking may lead to early menopause.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) describes the pattern of abnormalities observed in children
born to alcoholic mothers. These abnormalities include low birth weight, behavioral
dysfunction, brain malformation, physical deformities, and mental retardation. Prenatal
alcohol exposure is one of the leading known causes of mental retardation in the Western
world. Moderate drinkers can also pass on milder forms of these serious health risks to
their children. These are termed fetal alcohol effects (FAE) and can have serious
implications in the development of the child. The Centers for Disease Control in the
Department of Health and Human Service found that the rate of frequent drinking among
pregnant women increased fourfold between 1991 and 1995.
Alcohol Abuse and Treatment
Alcoholism
Effects of Alcohol Abuse in Women
Treatment and Management of Alcoholism
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Women's Health Zone
Women's Health Glossary
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