Progesterone-to-estradiol balance and problematic alcohol consumption

What is it about?

Researchers from the Central Institute of Mental Health, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Technical University of Dresden have published study results in the American Journal of Psychiatry that provide a better understanding of the relationship between hormones and alcohol consumption. A gender-separated, multi-center longitudinal study conducted on women with alcohol use disorder who have a natural menstrual cycle and men with alcohol use disorder shows significant correlations between menstrual cycle, the ratio of progesterone to estradiol and problematic drinking behavior.

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Photo by Andra C Taylor Jr on Unsplash

Photo by Andra C Taylor Jr on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The results suggest that a higher progesterone-to-estradiol ratio may protect women and men with alcohol use disorder from problematic alcohol consumption. This makes the hormone ratio a promising target for future treatment of alcohol use disorder and could pave the way for personalized, menstrual cycle-dependent therapies, especially for women with alcohol use disorder.