If your hangovers feel like personal attacks from the universe while your male mates bounce back after a night out, there's actually a very specific reason why.
Appearing on British breakfast show 'Lorraine' last week, Dr Amir Khan broke down why women cop it worse the next morning after a few too many beveraginos.
And it's pretty simple really - we’ve got less of the enzyme that breaks down booze.
“It’s called alcohol dehydrogenase. Women have less of it than men, so it takes them longer to break down alcohol. That means alcohol stays in their bodies longer, making them more likely to feel its effects and get a hangover the next day,” he says.
On top of that, we’ve got less circulating blood than men - so the alcohol is more concentrated.
Dr Amir also explained that oestrogen actually helps that alcohol-busting enzyme do its job better.
“For the first two weeks of the menstrual cycle, oestrogen levels are on the up. So you’re more effective at breaking down alcohol,” he explains. So you’re less likely to get drunk and feeling worse for wear the next day - NOTED!
“But the second half, when oestrogen levels drop, you’re more likely to get drunk, more likely to get a hangover.”
Menopause plays a role too.
Dr Khan says: “After menopause, you might not be able to enjoy the drinks that you used to when you were younger, because your oestrogen levels are lower.”
Never thought I’d be syncing my nights out with my cycle tracker, but here we are... cheers!
