Is It Okay to Drink Alcohol if You Have PCOS?
We found no official source that says whether drinking alcohol is safe or unsafe with PCOS. The Office on Women's Health says PCOS raises diabetes, heart and fertility risks, and NIAAA says heavy drinking harms the liver. Ask your doctor, especially if you take metformin or birth control.
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Standard Drinks Cheat Sheet (PDF): How many US standard drinks and UK units are in beer, wine, spirits and liqueurs, by can, glass and bottle. 33 rows, each with its source.
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We use your email only for this download.What PCOS involves
The Office on Women’s Health describes PCOS as a common health problem caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones, affecting roughly 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. It says more than half of women with PCOS will have diabetes or prediabetes before age 40, and that PCOS raises risks of high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol. It is also a common but treatable cause of infertility. The page does not mention alcohol.
What NIAAA says about alcohol
NIAAA says heavy drinking takes a toll on the liver and can lead to fatty liver, hepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis. CDC defines moderate drinking as no more than one drink a day for women. We found no official source that tests alcohol limits specifically for PCOS.
Questions to ask your doctor
- Are my medicines affected? The Office on Women’s Health lists hormonal birth control, metformin and anti-androgens as treatments. NIAAA says to ask a pharmacist about interactions.
- Does drinking affect my blood sugar or weight goals?
- Are we planning pregnancy? If so, ask about alcohol before trying.
Count your drinks with the standard drink calculator. This is general information, not medical advice.
People also ask
Does alcohol make PCOS worse?
We found no official source that says so or that it does not. Ask your doctor.
How much alcohol is moderate for women?
CDC defines moderate drinking as no more than one drink a day for women.
Can I drink on metformin or birth control for PCOS?
Ask your pharmacist; NIAAA says alcohol and medicines can interact even when not taken together.
Sources
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