Warren, JG 
ORCID: 0000-0001-6676-2954, Fallon, VM ORCID: 0000-0002-7350-2568, Goodwin, L, Gage, SH ORCID: 0000-0002-2368-1115 and Rose, AK
(2025)
The menstrual cycle, hormonal contraception and alcohol use across a single cycle
Addiction Research and Theory, ahead- (ahead-).
pp. 1-10.
ISSN 1606-6359, 1476-7392
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: | 5202 Biological Psychology, 52 Psychology, Behavioral and Social Science, Substance Misuse, Contraception/Reproduction, Alcoholism, Alcohol Use and Health, Basic Behavioral and Social Science, Clinical Research, Brain Disorders, Prevention, 2.3 Psychological, social and economic factors, Cardiovascular, Cancer, Stroke, 3 Good Health and Well Being |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 27 Aug 2025 09:22 |
| Last Modified: | 21 Jan 2026 17:42 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/16066359.2025.2542778 |
| Open Access URL: | https://doi.org/10.1080/16066359.2025.2542778 |
| Related Websites: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3194175 |
| Disclaimer: | The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate. |
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