Effects of ethanol at four phases of the menstrual cycle

Rationale: Ovarian hormones, such as estrogen (E) and progesterone (P), int eract with neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid, which are thought to be important in mediating the effects of ethanol. The refore, it is possible that circulating ovarian hormones influence the acut e subjective, behavioral, and physiological effects of ethanol, thus indire ctly influencing ethanol consumption. Objectives: To examine the relationsh ip between hormone levels and consumption of ethanol, this study investigat ed whether the effects of ethanol and the consumption of ethanol vary as a function of menstrual cycle phase. Methods: Sixteen healthy women with norm al menstrual cycles ingested ethanol at four hormonally distinct phases of the menstrual cycle, namely early follicular, late follicular, mid-luteal, and late-luteal. During each session, they first sampled three small doses of ethanol (0.2 g/kg each) at half-hourly intervals. They completed subject ive and behavioral tests before the first dose and after each subsequent do se. After consuming the third beverage, the women were allowed to choose up to three additional doses of ethanol (0.2 g/kg), one every 30 min. Results : Ethanol produced subjective effects typical for this drug (such as stimul ant-like effects and euphoria), and it impaired eye movements and psychomot or performance. However, the effects of ethanol did not vary according to m enstrual cycle phase, and consumption of ethanol also did not vary across t he menstrual cycle. Conclusions: These results suggest that circulating ova rian hormones, like E and P, have little effect on either the acute subject ive and behavioral effects of ethanol, or on ethanol consumption.