Is alcohol consumption associated with early menopause risk?

Earlier age at menopause is associated with increased long-term health risks. Moderate alcohol intake has been suggested to delay menopause onset, but it is unknown whether alcohol subtypes are associated with early menopause onset at age 45. A study evaluated the risk of early natural menopause among n=107,817 Nurses’ Health Study II members followed from 1989-2011.
Women reporting moderate, current alcohol consumption had lower risks of early menopause than non-drinkers. Those reporting 10-14.9 g/day had lower risk of early menopause compared to non-drinkers (HR = 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.68, 0.97). Among specific beverages, evidence of lower early menopause risk was confined to white wine, and potentially red wine and liquor, but not to beer. Data from this large prospective study suggest a weak association of moderate alcohol intake with lower risk of early menopause, which was most pronounced for consumption of white and red wine, and liquor. High consumption was not related to lower early menopause risk.
Source: Freeman JR, Whitcomb BW, Purdue-Smithe AC, Manson JAE, Langton CR, Hankinson SE, Rosner BA, Bertone-Johnson ER. Is Alcohol Consumption Associated with Early Menopause Risk? Am J Epidemiol. 2021 Jul 3:kwab182.