“Wine Not?” 🍷 The Truth About Alcohol and Perimenopause (That You Might Not Want to Hear…)

Perimenopause is basically Mother Nature’s way of keeping us on our toes—one minute, we’re fine, the next, we’re crying over a dog food commercial while sweating through our PJs. And if you’ve noticed that your go-to glass of wine isn’t hitting the same (or hitting too hard), you’re not alone.

Women over 40 are Googling like mad to figure out whether alcohol is making their perimenopause symptoms worse. So, let’s cut through the noise and get to it before the next happy hour turns into an unexpected hot flash-and-regret fest.

🍷 Why Does Booze Betray Me in Perimenopause?

Once upon a time, a glass of wine was a treat. Now? It’s a one-way ticket to a 3 AM anxiety spiral and waking up feeling like you licked the bottom of your handbag. Here’s why:

💥 Hot Flushes on Steroids – Alcohol messes with your blood vessels, making hot flashes even hotter (and not in a fun way). If you’ve ever woken up drenched and thought, “Well, that was a mistake,” you’ve found your trigger.

More about hot flushes in perimenopause right here.

💥 Sleep? We Don’t Know Her. – That “relaxing” drink might knock you out, but it also screws up deep sleep. And perimenopause already loves to mess with your shut-eye. Hello, 3 AM existential crisis. UGH!

Read up on how to get a better night sleep through perimenopause here.

💥 Mood Swings in HD – Alcohol can make anxiety and mood swings way worse. So if you’re already on the emotional rollercoaster, pouring a glass might just be buying a front-row seat to the misery.

💥 The Hangovers That Last Forever – What happened to our resilience?! Perimenopause slows down alcohol metabolism, which means one drink can feel like five and a margarita on Tuesday can still haunt you on Thursday.

💥 Midlife Weight Gain—Because Why Not? – Alcohol is full of empty calories and messes with blood sugar, leading to cravings, bloating, and the sudden urge to eat a loaf of bread at 10 PM.

🍹 So, Do I Have to Quit Drinking?

Not necessarily! But if you suspect alcohol is making perimenopause even more of a hot mess, experiment with cutting back and see how you feel. Some tips:

✅ The “Skip Day” Challenge – Take 3-4 alcohol-free days a week and see if your sleep, mood, or energy improve.

✅ Find a New Ritual – Swap your usual pour for a fancy non-alcoholic spritz. You still get the vibe without the side effects. We love SMUG AF Cocktails and Hopr (two great Aussie startups!).

✅ Be Selective – If wine sets you off, try a different drink with fewer additives. Some women find that clear spirits (like gin or vodka) are less of a nightmare.

✅ Hydrate Like It’s Your Job – If you are drinking, match each drink with a glass of water and thank us later.

✅ Instead of thinking about Evening You with glass in hand, think about Morning You. How would you like to feel in the morning? Maybe get up early and do something fun?  Wake up feeling refreshed rather than a little/alot dusty and grumpy?

Bottom Line: It’s Not You, It’s the Booze.

Your body is changing, and how it handles alcohol is changing too. If your fave drink is making perimenopause harder than it needs to be, maybe it’s time for a break-up (or at least a conscious uncoupling).

But hey, if you can still enjoy a glass without turning into a sweaty, anxious gremlin—CHEERS TO YOU. 🥂

Either way, you’re not alone in this wild ride. Now, who’s up for a mocktail? 🍹😏

If you're looking to switch up your evening routine, try our decadent Peri Hot Choccy instead. Like a beautiful oh-so-dark choccy treat which will help you get some deep, rejuvenating sleep. Check it out here.