The reality is that women have to deal with unique obstacles when it comes to recovering from an addiction to drugs or alcohol. The effects of alcohol on women are different than on men. Empowering women to find the help they need and overcome a substance use disorder is the number one priority of a treatment center like Women’s Recovery. The menstrual cycle is one of the defining aspects of womanhood, and it has ties to culture, religion, history, and, of course, family, which date back centuries. For women who misuse alcohol, they may wonder, “Why does my period stop when I drink alcohol?” The better question is, “If my drinking is affecting such a core biological process, what other damage is it doing to my mental or physical health?”
When you are ready to reclaim your health and your life, call on Women’s Recovery to enroll in an alcohol rehab in Colorado.
Why Does My Period Stop When I Drink Alcohol?
As a woman, when you drink more and more alcohol, your body reacts. Your menstrual cycle can be one of the things that is directly affected by your alcohol consumption. In addition, women have a greater risk of liver and heart disease as a result of drinking alcohol. Research also shows—on average—women become intoxicated much more quickly than men after drinking the same amount of alcohol. Plus, women become addicted at a much faster pace.
You may be wondering, “Can alcohol affect your period?” The reason that a woman’s menstrual cycle—or period—can stop when they are drinking a lot of alcohol is because of hormone (estrogen and progesterone) fluctuations caused by alcohol consumption. This shift in hormones can cause irregularities in a period as well as other potential symptoms:
- Weight gain or loss due to changes in metabolism
- Mood swings and increased symptoms of anxiety or depression
- Sleep disturbances, including difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Changes in libido and sexual function
- Potential for decreased bone density, increasing the risk of fractures
- Increased risk of developing breast cancer with prolonged exposure to hormone fluctuations
The more alcohol is abused, the more chance it can stop a period altogether and even lead to issues with a woman’s reproduction. If a woman is misusing alcohol and still getting her period, it’s likely the symptoms of the period are heightened, such as intense menstrual cramps and heavy bleeding due to dehydration.
Alcohol Rehab in Colorado
When your alcohol use becomes abuse, it’s time to seek professional help. If you have stopped getting your period as a result of excessive drinking, then a rehab program focused on women is the smart choice. Having a treatment program designed with the needs of women will better address the specific issues you are experiencing and help you to become a much healthier version of yourself. Removing alcohol from your system and reducing the potential issues with your reproductive system will pave the way for lifelong recovery.
An outpatient treatment program, like the one at Women’s Recovery, allows flexibility for women to receive the treatment they need while still being able to attend to responsibilities at home, school, or work. Rehab is a safe and structured space for women to heal from addiction through treating the mind, body, and soul.
Alcohol rehab takes a holistic approach to treatment, combining a variety of therapies. These customized treatment plans allow patients to build a toolbox of coping techniques to take with them into their everyday lives. The sense of community built around a body of peers alongside a caring and compassionate treatment team boosts the confidence of each woman who walks through the door. Rehab is a home away from home to heal and grow, with a flexible schedule.
Contact Women’s Recovery for Alcohol Rehab in Colorado Today
The team at Women’s Recovery is experienced in using a combination of therapeutic approaches to meet the needs of women as they go through rehab for a substance use disorder. A big part of this is how their body and mind react to alcohol consumption and withdrawal. In fact, co-occurring mental health conditions are treated alongside substance use disorders as part of dual diagnosis treatment.
Trauma can also be the catalyst for many substance use disorders in women, so Women’s Recovery focuses on trauma-informed treatment as part of their rehab programming. Contact Women’s Recovery online or call 833.754.0554 to find out more about how alcohol consumption affects women differently than men and find an outpatient treatment program that works best for you or a loved one.
