LONDON, Dec. 17, 2025 — As office parties, gatherings with friends, and year-end festivities are in full flow, many of us anticipate hangovers without realizing that festive drinking can have a genuine yet frequently neglected effect on menstrual and hormonal well-being.
According to experts from the #1 women-led period and cycle tracker, the holiday season can give rise to a perfect storm of disrupted routines, heightened stress, altered sleep patterns, and often, increased alcohol intake—all elements that can intensify menstrual symptoms and make cycles notably more challenging to regulate.
Leveraging insights from its annual Our Year in Cycles dataset, Clue stated that throughout the entire 2024-2025 cycle year, its users recorded millions of days of alcohol consumption via the app’s partying tracking feature, with those aged 25-34 logging more alcohol than any other age group. Not surprisingly, December 31, 2024, was the most popular day for tracking alcohol consumption.
“Alcohol doesn’t put an end to your cycle, but it does alter the conditions under which your body functions,” remarked Clue Chief Medical Officer Dr Charis Chambers.
“When your cycle overlaps with a hectic social schedule, the combination of disrupted sleep, dehydration, inflammation, and hormonal changes can intensify cramps, exacerbate PMS, and make period symptoms more difficult than usual. This can be perplexing because PMS symptoms can often resemble what a hangover feels like.”
“Being mindful of how and what you drink can make a world of difference. Research indicates that alcohol can affect hormone levels, disrupt ovulation patterns, increase inflammation, and interfere with the body’s normal pain response. One outcome we observe is that symptoms such as cramps, mood swings, bloating, headaches, and fatigue may feel more intense and harder to recover from, especially for those who already have PMS or heavy periods. Although moderate drinking doesn’t halt the menstrual cycle, it can push an already delicate system beyond its limits.”
Dr Chambers advised women to be conscious of what occurs when festive habits clash with hormonal timing and to consider how they schedule their social activities during such a busy period of the year.
“The second half of the menstrual cycle, referred to as the luteal phase, is especially susceptible to these stresses. That’s when many individuals already face heightened sensitivity, mood fluctuations, and fatigue. Adding alcohol to that mix may make it difficult to distinguish between a hangover and hormonal changes.”
“There’s nothing feeble or exaggerated about your body reacting differently to alcohol at specific times in your cycle. Your hormones impact everything from sleep to mood to digestion. If alcohol disrupts any of those processes, your period will be affected. For instance, during ovulation, you may metabolize alcohol somewhat differently because of hormone shifts, or the release of progesterone (after ovulation) can slow digestion, meaning the effects of alcohol might feel more potent. Planning ahead, eating before drinking, staying hydrated, and prioritizing sleep can make celebrations enjoyable without overburdening your body.”
“Beneath all this lies a more profound message,” stated Dr Chambers. “Menstrual symptoms aren’t random nor are they character defects. They are essentially physiological feedback. Alcohol doesn’t suddenly cause hormonal mayhem, but it can magnify what’s already occurring. A bit of foresight not only supports hormonal balance but also turns festive pressure into something more gentle, calm, and respectful of the cycle.”
Dr Charis’ Top Strategies for Getting Through the Festive Party Season
1. Check your cycle before accepting invitations: It’s helpful to track where you’re likely to be in your menstrual timeline during major events. Only you know when and how you feel your best and most sociable, but keeping a record of when symptoms peak can assist you in determining if a festive night out might intensify the impact and enable you to plan around it accordingly.
2. Prioritize hydration: Alcohol, when combined with salty party food and hormonal changes, forms a trio that can lead to dehydration. Try drinking a glass of water between festive drinks to help combat common dehydration symptoms like cramps, headache, and fatigue.
3. Eat purposefully, not impulsively: Although it can be tough when canapés and mince pies are being passed around, aim for balanced meals with protein and complex carbs that help stabilize blood sugar, reducing the likelihood of mood swings, nausea, and dizziness. Anti-inflammatory foods are a good choice if you’re on or near your period as they can reduce inflammation and cramps. Salmon, nuts, leafy greens, berries, turmeric, and ginger are all excellent options.
4. Prioritize sleep: During your luteal phase, sleep is usually already lighter or more disrupted. Alcohol can exacerbate these effects. Try not to overfill your schedule, allowing for a night of peaceful sleep after each event whenever possible.
5. Prepare for pain relief if needed: Whether you’re prone to headaches or cramps, pack what you might need before leaving the house, keeping in mind that some over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen are known to interact with alcohol. If you’re uncertain, it’s generally safer to avoid drinking.
About Clue
Clue is the top women-led period and cycle tracker, adored by over 100 million women and individuals with cycles globally.
Beyond period tracking, Clue enables you to transform your cycle into a potent tool to navigate your health journey by understanding your hormones and uncovering your unique patterns.
Whether you wish to merely understand your cycle, attempt to conceive, track your pregnancy, or navigate perimenopause, Clue is your intelligent, science-based, data-driven health companion.
Join the movement revolutionizing female health, one data point at a time. Try , today.
CONTACT: Press For further details regarding this press release, reach out to press@helloclue.com.
