Hormones, Alcohol & Cognition: Menstrual Cycle Influences on Neurocognitive Functioning Underlying Alcohol Use and Alcohol Use Disorder
- Amsterdam Journal of Social Sciences
- Oct 8
- 2 min read
Alonso-Marmelstein & Kaag
Abstract:
The menstrual cycle has emerged as a potential key factor in the treatment and recovery from substance use disorder. Existing research on nicotine cessation shows the impact of the menstrual cycle on withdrawal, ab stinence, and relapse. However, similar research on alcohol use disorder (AUD) is lacking. Various neurocog nitive domains are implicated in an AUD, notably cognitive control, negative emotionality, and incentive sali ence. Menstrual cycle fluctuations can further impact these neurocognitive processes. This literature review examines the menstrual cycle and neurocognitive functioning involved in alcohol use through three different aims: 1) menstrual cycle moderation of acute alcohol on neurocognitive process in non-AUD populations, 2) menstrual cycle moderation of general alcohol use in non-AUD populations, and 3) menstrual cycle influence on neurocognition in individuals with an AUD. N = 17 studies were included, with n = 10 focusing on acute alcohol consumption, n = 5 examining alcohol use in non-AUD populations, and n = 2 examining use in indi viduals with an AUD. Findings in non-AUD populations show impaired cognitive control in high estrogen vs. low estrogen phases, including worsened inhibition, attention, and vigilance, and increased negative emotion ality in the luteal phase and menstrual phases, compared to follicular and peri-ovulatory phases, with increased drinking motives to cope. Incentive salience also rose in high estrogen phases for the non-AUD population, linked to increased reward sensitivity in high vs. low estrogen phases. The studies that explicitly looked at individuals with an AUD found lower probabilities for binge drinking and greater capacity for emotional rea soning in the high progesterone phase (luteal phase) than in the low progesterone phases (follicular, peri-ovu latory, and menstrual week phases). Findings demonstrate how ovarian hormone fluctuations may shape neu rocognitive vulnerabilities to alcohol use. Raising awareness of menstrual cycle effects on neurocognition could improve prevention strategies, treatments, and recovery outcomes for menstruators navigating AUDs.
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