Do you have any of the following symptoms;
Irregular, painful periods
Heavy periods
PMS
Weight gain
Tender breasts
Insomnia
Migraines
Anxiety
If so, then read on to find out how alcohol can impact these symptoms by activating a couple of enzymes.
Your genetic makeup can decide how much of an impact alcohol has on you – hence my love of the Lifecode Gx tests.
Two specific genes are influenced by alcohol in the hormonal cycle: CYP17A1 and CYP19A1. They are identified by numbers, but don't let that put you off.
These genes code for two different enzymes. These are key in deciding what direction various ingredients are pushed.
Go left, or go right….?.
CYP17A1
Perimenopausal anxiety?
This gene decides whether pregnenolone and progesterone gets shunted down to eventually make Allo P, or hangs a right and is pushed towards making more 17-OH progesterone - which goes to cortisol or testosterone.
Why does this matter?
Allo P is key with helping us stay calm. It does this by binding to GABA receptors.
Should you be struggling with any form of anxiety and drinking, this may be a reason.
You may feel that alcohol may help your anxiety, but generally, it is only the first drink that does this. Alcohol has an affinity for GABA receptors and will sit and occupy them, taking off the edginess that you may be feeling. This relaxation effect is, sadly, short-lived.
Any increase in cortisol is never good. The increased weight around your tummy is cortisol/ stress weight….
CYP19A1(Aromatase)
This is the gene that converts testosterone to oestrogen. If it's working overtime due to a genetic tweak, alcohol could be speeding up this process, potentially throwing your hormone balance out of whack.
Why does this matter?
Hormones need to be in balance.
When they lose balance, you can get symptoms. You don't always need to have high levels—you could be low in one, making the other seem high. This is common when progesterone drops at the start of perimenopause—it may make oestrogen seem high.
High oestrogen relative to progesterone tends to be called oestrogen dominance, which can create the following symptoms.
Irregular, painful periods
Heavy periods
PMS
Weight gain
Tender breasts
Insomnia
Migraines
It can also exacerbate the following issues.
Breast, ovarian, and uterine Cancer
Endometriosis
Fibroids
There are many reasons for oestrogen dominance, but for the sake of this blog, I am simply focusing on this one gene combined with alcohol.
But here's the thing – I'm not here to rain on your parade.
I get it; alcohol can be enjoyable.
But when it comes to navigating perimenopause, it's important to understand how it might be impacting you.
As part of my Take Control of Menopause program, I can help you find a healthier balance with alcohol, or if you're curious about the genetic aspect, I can guide you through personalised testing and interpretation to give you the insights you need.
Nx
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