Face of risky drinking 'quietly changing' in Australia

Increasing numbers of midlife women in Australia are turning to alcohol to cope with the negative effects of perimenopause, but this could be worsening their symptoms, according to recent data and studies. The face of risky drinking in Australia has quietly changed, as middle-aged women are increasingly experiencing alcohol-related issues, according to data from the National Drug Strategy Household Survey.

A Macquarie University study found that women over 40 were using alcohol to manage hidden perimenopausal anxiety. Chris Davis, an addiction specialist, noted that most of his patients were women in their late 30s to early 50s, which surprised him given that men are twice as likely to have an alcohol use disorder. The decline in progesterone during perimenopause may be linked to increased stress and anxiety, causing women to turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism.

However, Davis explained that alcohol can have a similar relaxing effect to progesterone, leading women to rely on it despite its harmful effects. Health professionals are still primarily focused on identifying risky drinking behaviors in men, which has resulted in midlife women falling through the gaps in support and intervention.

Davis encouraged women to consider whether alcohol is beneficial for their overall health, as reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption could significantly improve their wellbeing.