NIAAA

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National Institutes

of Health

U.S. Department of

Health and Human

Services

National Institute

on Alcohol Abuse

and Alcoholism

Women and Alcohol

Women’s drinking patterns are different from

men’s—especially when it comes to thetype of beverage,

amounts, and frequency. Women’s bodies also react

differently to alcohol than men’s bodies. As a result,

women face particular health risks and realities.

Women should be aware of the health risks

associated with drinking alcohol, especially

because most women drink at least occasionally,

and many women drink a lot.

Why do women face higher risk?

Research shows that women start to have alcoholrelated problems at lower drinking levels than men

do. One reason is that, on average, women weigh less

than men. In addition, alcohol disperses in body water,

and pound for pound, women have less water in their bodies than

men do. So after a man and woman of the same weight drink the same

amount of alcohol, the woman’s blood alcohol concentration will tend

to be higher, putting her at greater risk for harm.Other biological

differences, including hormones, may contribute, as well.

What are the health risks?

Liver Damage:

Women who drink are more likely to develop alcoholic hepatitis

(liver inflammation) than men who drink the same amount of

alcohol. Alcoholic hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis.

Heart Disease:

Chronic heavy drinking is a leading cause of heart disease. Among

heavy drinkers, women are more susceptible to alcohol­related

heart disease than men, even though women drink less alcohol

over a lifetime than men.

Breast Cancer:

There is an association between drinking alcohol and developing

breast cancer. Women who consume about one drink per day have

a 10 percent higher chance of developing breast cancer than women

who do not drink at all.

Pregnancy:

Any drinking during pregnancy is risky. A pregnant woman who

drinks heavily puts her fetus at risk for learning and behavioral

problems and abnormal facial features. Even moderate drinking

during pregnancy can cause problems. Drinking during pregnancy

also may increase the risk for preterm labor.

Some women should never drink at all, including:

Anyone under age 21

Anyone who takes medications that can interact negatively

with alcohol

Anyone who is pregnant or trying to conceive

How much is

too much?

A standard drink is roughly

14 grams of pure alcohol,

which is found in:

12 ounces of beer

5 ounces of wine

1.5 ounces of distilled spirits

The USDA defines moderate

drinking as:

Up to 1 drink per day

for women

Up to 2 drinks per day

for men
National Institutes

of Health

U.S. Department of

Health and Human

Services

National Institute

on Alcohol Abuse

and Alcoholism

The Statistics:

How often and how much do women drink?

Selected consumption statistics for women and

men: U.S. adults 18 years of age and older

% who had at least 1 drink in

the past year

Women

59.6

Men

71.8

% who had at least 1 drink in their

lifetime, but not in the past year 17.9 16.6

% who had at least 1 drink in their

lifetime 77.5 88.4

% total lifetime abstainers

(not even 1 drink) 22.5 11.6

% of past­year drinkers, by usual

number of drinks consumed per

drinking day:

1 48.2 28.7

2 29.9 29.0

3+ 21.9 42.3

% of past­year drinkers who drank

4+/5+ drinks on an occasion:

Never in past year 71.2 56.9

Ever in past year 28.8 43.1

1 to 11 times in past year

(<monthly) 14.2 15.3

12+ times in past year

(monthly or more often) 14.6 27.8

% who drank 12+ drinks over the

course of the past year 42.1 61.2

% who drank 12+ drinks over the

course of some year, but not the

past year 13.4 16.6

% who never drank 12+ drinks over

the course of any year 44.5 22.2

% of women who had a past­year

pregnancy by drinking status:

Did not drink at all in the past year 41.0

Drank during the past year, but

not at all during pregnancy 49.3

Drank but in reduced quantities

during pregnancy 8.1

Drank and did not reduce

consumption during pregnancy 1.5

SOURCE: Wave 1 NESARC

At Risk

NIAAA also defines how

much drinking may put

people at risk for developing

alcohol dependence.

Low risk drinking limits are:

Women:

No more than 7 drinks

per week and no more

than 3 drinks on any

single day.

Men:

No more than 14 drinks

per week and no more

than 4 drinks on any

single day.

To stay low risk, you

must keep within both

the single­day and

weekly limits.

Low risk does not mean

no risk. Even within these

limits, you can have problems

if you drink too quickly or

have other health issues.

Drinking slowly, and making

sure you eat enough while

drinking, can help minimize

alcohol’s effects.

For more information

please visit:

www.rethinkingdrinking.

niaaa.nih.gov/

Published March 2011