A significant proportion of the population nowadays consume alcohol, either occasionally or frequently, in moderate or large quantities. Sad to say, a substantial number of alcohol drinkers are also on medication. From a medical viewpoint, combining medicine with drinking alcohol would be deemed a bad practice, one that might eventually lead to untoward reactions.
This notion might make sense, considering that numerous pharmaceutical companies place labels and warnings on their medical products mentioning the harmful effects of alcohol consumption with drug intake. But what about those taking ergogenic aids? Not to mention hormone supplements. These substances are also not part of the body’s natural chemistry, so some people think taking them with alcohol is unhealthy.
Understanding Pregnenolone Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone supplements are now a preferred method of non-conservative treatment for many disorders, ranging from mild hormone imbalances to more severe and life-threatening ones. An essential hormone that is often unrecognized for its importance is pregnenolone. Though there are more familiar hormones out there, such as estrogen and progesterone, one should be aware of the vital role pregnenolone plays.
Pregnenolone is more commonly known as the mother of all hormones. Because of its primary involvement in producing other hormones, pregnenolone serves as the core to keeping balance in the body. It is critical for optimal neurologic functions like boosting memory in Alzheimer’s disease and reversing or slowing the effects of aging.
Aside from this, it has proven helpful in treating common ailments like extreme fatigue, depression, menopausal and premenstrual symptoms, and stress. In past instances, this hormone was used to resolve soft-tissue rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis. However, it is worth noting that indications for these two health problems have been discontinued due to a lack of evidence of its effectiveness.
When is pregnenolone therapy needed?
Hormonal imbalance can be attributed to numerous factors. Some medical treatments may cause a fluctuation in hormone levels, like chemotherapy. In some cases, medications and injury may lead to hormonal imbalance. Adrenal gland and thyroid gland disorders are also known to cause imbalances. Getting acquainted with what causes hormonal imbalances is the first step to figuring out there may be a problem.
Along with these factors, one should be oriented to the telltale signs that there may be a hormone problem in the first place. A person may manifest drastic weight changes, areas of tenderness, heart rate irregularities, decreased libido, skin and hair issues, and a change in bowel movements. Other symptoms differ per gender. Women may have altered menstrual cycles, while men may suffer from loss of bone and muscle mass.
When the pregnenolone level in the body is low or insufficient, doctors recommend hormone therapy replacement to supplement the lack of this critical hormone. People suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder associated with depression and low mood may be treated with a course of pregnenolone supplements, but at a controlled dosage and for a given period only to minimize the risk of adverse effects.
What are the adverse reactions of HRT?
Present-day research may still be lacking in the field of pregnenolone supplementation. But in as far as usage goes, there are safety concerns like in taking other medications. Studies indicate pregnenolone may cause some unwanted side effects when ingested.
More often than not, steroid-like effects will start showing, like difficulty falling asleep, drastic mood swings from anger to anxiety to irritability, hair loss or uncontrolled facial hair growth, and on a more serious note, irregular heart rhythm.
Are there any risks of alcohol consumption with HRT?
Despite the health benefits of taking pregnenolone supplements, one should take time to check for any contraindications. Of particular concern is the intake of alcohol while on hormone replacement therapy. Besides magnifying the adverse effects previously mentioned, alcohol does more damage on a more severe scale.
Clots may form, increasing the likelihood of a stroke. Considering blood clot formation is already an expected side effect of HRT, compounding the situation with alcohol aggravates this risk. Interestingly, studies reveal that pregnenolone may diminish a person’s craving for alcohol, at levels between 50mg/kg and 75 mg/kg. However, for long-term usage, findings have not been as promising.
Conclusion
A considerable number of drugs warn users of possible alcohol interactions. The same goes for hormone supplements, especially pregnenolone and estrogen, as there is a proven direct correlation between cancer, blood clotting, and alcohol consumption. For the most part, it is essential to remember that any hormone therapy recommended works best without any alcohol taken with it.
