Information for Women
Alcohol consumption affects women differently than men. The CDC reports that the use of alcohol among women can have impacts on brain and heart health, increases the likelihood of cancer and liver disease and that binge drinking is a risk factor for sexual assault among young women.
- Brain Health - Compared to men, alcohol use can lead to a faster decrease in mental functioning for women.
- Cancer - Alcohol use increases the risk of several types of cancer, including breast cancer.
- Heart Health - Women who drink excessively have a higher risk of damage to the heart muscle at lower levels of alcohol use and over fewer years than men.
- Liver Disease - Compared to men, women who drink have a higher risk of developing cirrhosis and other alcohol-related liver diseases.
- Sexual Assault - Binge drinking is a risk factor for sexual assault, especially among young women. Research suggests that there is an increase in the risk of rape or sexual assault when both the attacker and victim have used alcohol prior to the attack.
Question & Answer
Does Binge Drinking Affect Women?
Binge drinking is the consuming of an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period of time. For women, this is typically consuming four drinks within 2 hours.
The CDC reported that:
- 46% of women report drinking alcohol in the past 30 days
- 12% of women report binge drinking three times per month, with five or more drinks per binge
- 5% of women met the diagnostic criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder in the past year
Can Alcohol Use Affect My Pregnancy?
The first few weeks of pregnancy are crucial in the development of a baby’s vital organs, systems and limbs. Alcohol and other substances can adversely affect this critical period of growth with life-long health concerns.
When you drink while pregnant, alcohol in your blood passes to your baby through the umbilical cord. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and a range of lifelong physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Children with FASD might have the following characteristics and behaviors: Abnormal facial features, such as a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip small head size, shorter-than-average height, low body weight, poor coordination, hyperactive behavior, difficulty with attention, poor memory, difficulty in school (especially with math), learning disabilities, speech and language delays, intellectual disability or low IQ, poor reasoning and judgment skills, sleep and sucking problems as a baby, vision or hearing problems, problems with the heart, kidney, or bones.
Learn more:
What about Other Substances Used During Pregnancy?
There are various other drugs that may have adverse prenatal effects. These include, but are not limited to:
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Inhalants
- MDMA (Molly)
- Methamphetamine
- Nicotine
- Prescription and over-the-counter drugs
What about Marijuana Use During Pregnancy and Motherhood?
According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 20 women use marijuana during pregnancy. Of these, many use it to help curb symptoms of morning sickness. Marijuana use during pregnancy can be harmful to the baby, regardless of how it is administered (smoked, eaten, topical creams, etc.). The chemicals in marijuana are similar to those in tobacco smoke and pass through the placenta, potentially resulting in low birth weight, premature birth, developmental and neurological problems including difficulties in the child playing and learning and are at higher risk for behavioral problems and poor academic performance.
Mothers who are experiencing postpartum depression should see their doctor instead of using marijuana. Although the high may temporarily alleviate symptoms, it will not treat postpartum depression.
Learn more:
Need Help?
Does Binge Drinking Affect Women?
- Binge drinking is the consuming of an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period of time. For women, this is typically consuming four drinks within 2 hours.
- 46% of women report drinking alcohol in the past 30 days
- 12% of women report binge drinking three times per month, with five or more drinks per binge
- 5% of women met the diagnostic criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder in the past year
Can Alcohol Use Affect My Pregnancy?
- The first few weeks of pregnancy are crucial in the development of a baby’s vital organs, systems and limbs. Alcohol and other substances can adversely affect this critical period of growth with life-long health concerns.
- When you drink while pregnant, alcohol in your blood passes to your baby through the umbilical cord. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and a range of lifelong physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
- Children with FASD might have the following characteristics and behaviors: Abnormal facial features, such as a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip small head size, shorter-than-average height, low body weight, poor coordination, hyperactive behavior, difficulty with attention, poor memory, difficulty in school (especially with math), learning disabilities, speech and language delays, intellectual disability or low IQ, poor reasoning and judgment skills, sleep and sucking problems as a baby, vision or hearing problems, problems with the heart, kidney, or bones.
- Learn more:
What about Other Substances Used During Pregnancy?
- There are various other drugs that may have adverse prenatal effects. These include, but are not limited to:
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Inhalants
- MDMA (Molly)
- Methamphetamine
- Nicotine
- Prescription and over-the-counter drugs
What about Marijuana Use During Pregnancy and Motherhood?
- According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 20 women use marijuana during pregnancy. Of these, many use it to help curb symptoms of morning sickness. Marijuana use during pregnancy can be harmful to the baby, regardless of how it is administered (smoked, eaten, topical creams, etc.). The chemicals in marijuana are similar to those in tobacco smoke and pass through the placenta, potentially resulting in low birth weight, premature birth, developmental and neurological problems including difficulties in the child playing and learning and are at higher risk for behavioral problems and poor academic performance.
- Mothers who are experiencing postpartum depression should see their doctor instead of using marijuana. Although the high may temporarily alleviate symptoms, it will not treat postpartum depression.
- Learn more:
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