The menstrual cycle, hormonal contraception and alcohol use across a single cycle

Warren, JG, Fallon, VM, Goodwin, L, Gage, SH ORCID: 0000-0002-2368-1115 and Rose, AK ORCID: 0000-0003-3267-7318 (2025) The menstrual cycle, hormonal contraception and alcohol use across a single cycle. Addiction Research and Theory, 34 (2). pp. 152-161. ISSN 1606-6359

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Abstract

Objective: Existing literature suggests an association between menstrual cycle and alcohol use. The present study investigated the relationship between menstrual cycle phases and hormonal contraception (naturally cycling [NC] and hormonal contraceptive [HC]) and alcohol use, while considering potentially influencing variables using multiple assessments over one cycle. Methods: 50 females (32 NC and 18 HC) completed a series of online questionnaires over one menstrual cycle. Results: We found that HC users craved and consumed more alcohol than NC participants. Menstrual cycle phase predicted levels of craving for the NC group. For the NC group, baseline units, craving, and mood predicted consumption; and the predictors of craving were baseline units, mood, phase, and relationship status. In the HC group, there were no predictors of consumption, but craving was predicted by: baseline units, mood, and impulsivity. There were no differences in drinking motives by group or phase. Conclusions: HC may affect drinking behavior whereas the effect of menstrual phase remains unclear. This has implications for HC use and menstrual awareness for health practices, e.g. for those with alcohol use disorders. Importantly, this study suggests the future direction of research into the topic such as additional methods to explore the association as well how to investigate underlying mechanisms.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Menstrual cycle; alcohol; craving; hormonal contraception; stress; impulsivity; 5202 Biological Psychology; 52 Psychology; Clinical Research; Substance Misuse; Basic Behavioral and Social Science; Prevention; Behavioral and Social Science; Contraception/Reproduction; Alcoholism, Alcohol Use and Health; Brain Disorders; 2.3 Psychological, social and economic factors; Cancer; Cardiovascular; Stroke; 3 Good Health and Well Being; 1117 Public Health and Health Services; 1701 Psychology; Substance Abuse; 4206 Public health; 5202 Biological psychology; 5203 Clinical and health psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Divisions:	Psychology (from Sep 2019)
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis
Date of acceptance:	30 July 2025
Date of first compliant Open Access:	2 July 2026
Date Deposited:	02 Jul 2026 13:48
Last Modified:	02 Jul 2026 13:48
DOI or ID number:	10.1080/16066359.2025.2542778
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/28932

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