Acute effect of alcohol on androgens in premenopausal women.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized controlled trial
PubMed 10684783 · doi:10.1093/alcalc/35.1.84
What was done
Eighty-seven premenopausal women in the mid-cycle phase of the menstrual cycle (47 using oral contraceptives [OC+] and 40 non-users [OC-]) were evaluated after consuming 0.5 g/kg alcohol versus placebo. Total testosterone, free testosterone fraction, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were measured at 45 and 90 minutes post-drinking. A substudy of 10 OC+ subjects tested three alcohol doses (0.34, 0.68, and 1.02 g/kg) across 45, 90, and 150 minutes.
What was found
The abstract reports statistical directions without providing exact numerical concentrations or effect sizes. Total testosterone and free testosterone fractions were significantly higher after alcohol compared to placebo at 45 and 90 minutes in both OC- and OC+ subjects, with a more prominent testosterone effect in OC+ subjects. Androstenedione levels were significantly lowered and the testosterone:androstenedione ratio was significantly elevated by alcohol in both groups. No alcohol effects were observed on DHEA or DHT. In the 10-subject substudy, no significant dose or time effects on total testosterone were observed.
Why it matters
This study shows that acute alcohol intake alters androgen metabolism by increasing the conversion of androstenedione to testosterone in premenopausal women, an effect enhanced by oral contraceptive use. This mechanism may contribute to hyperandrogenism associated with heavy alcohol intake.
Limits
The abstract provides no exact numerical values, effect sizes, standard deviations, or exact p-values. Testing was restricted to the mid-cycle phase of premenopausal women, limiting generalizability to other menstrual phases. The dose-response substudy was small with only 10 participants.
Cited by
- supports Consuming 0.7 grams of alcohol per kilogram of body weight morning and evening for one week elevates total testosterone levels in premenopausal women.
- supports Metabolizing alcohol via alcohol dehydrogenase and NAD increases the NADH/NAD ratio, activating 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and converting more androstenedione into testosterone.