Acute Effect of Alcohol on Estradiol, Estrone, Progesterone, Prolactin, Cortisol, and Luteinizing Hormone in Premenopausal Women

Abstract

We suggest that the estradiol and progesterone effects are related to decreased steroid catabolism, resulting from the alcohol-mediated increase in the hepatic NADH-to-NAD ratio. The transient effect on prolactin levels may reflect acute changes in opioid and dopamine levels in the hypothalamus. The present findings regarding female sex steroids may be of relevance in the association between moderate to heavy alcohol consumption and the development of breast cancer.