Yes. I love red wine. But, I have gotten far more sensitive to it. It whacks my blood sugar horribly and interferes with my sleep. Plus, it gives me hot flashes. Not to mention, I've put on 10 lbs in the past year. I do not over-eat. But, that wine is full of empty, fat-packing calories.

On top of that, due to my recent marital separation, I've relied entirely too much on my beloved red wine to get me through the night. I was developing a drinking problem. So, while I haven't given up completely. I stay away from it as much as I can.

Now I drink once or twice a month - a couple of glasses.

Magnolia

So sorry you're going through a separation - that must be tough! I know several women who say red wine tends to cause hot flashes more than white. I noticed that too especially when my HRT wasn't "optimized."

But I'm disappointed that since my gyn (needlessly) removed my organs, I don't get that same tipsy and giddy feeling from alcohol and I MISS IT!! No libido enhancing effect either and I could use that more than ever now! It has almost no effect except that I'm a little more talkative. I was never a big drinker but liked a couple of cocktails or glasses of wine on the weekend. Did you notice any of these changes?

No- it seems to have the same effect for me but my menopause was natural. However I am now wondering if it's giving me more hot flashes which I will start my own post about.

The liver is so busy detoxifying the alcohol, so that estrogen in yr body (whether from HT, yr own ovaries or not) is increased (not sure how this happens, not a Dr or anything). That is one reason why there is a supposed increased in breast cancer rates among drinkers, even moderate drinkers, bc alcohol increase estrogen in yr system. It is not a big issue if you do not drink or drink sparingly but it can be a problem for us in menopause bc it can add to the fluctuations. Actually, I notice that a glass of wine really lifts my spirits, but I do not drink often plus my system is more stable since I hit postmeno.

Magnolia, sorry about yr marital problems, I have been there too. I was divorced when I was younger, and was a Smom and it was just hard. I drank more during that period in my life too, but not really dangerously. It was tempting to use it to relax etc.

I don't think 2 glasses a month is leading you away from sobriety at all...DaisyC

I'm post meno - 2+ years. I've been on bio-identical hormones for 9 months now and do not notice any difference in the effects of alcohol - I am mostly a white wine drinker - with the ocaissional mojito.