Surging estrogen levels may drive women to drink more heavily, potentially leading to binge-drinking behavior, according to a new study. Researchers observed that female mice consumed significantly more alcohol on days when their estrogen levels were elevated.

Published in the journal Nature Communications, the study is the first to establish a link between high estrogen levels and increased alcohol consumption. Researchers highlighted that this hormonal influence contributes to sex-specific differences in drinking patterns.

Binge-drinking is known to amplify the harmful effects of alcohol, and women are particularly vulnerable to these negative health impacts compared to men, the study noted.

The findings open new avenues for understanding alcohol-related behaviors in women and could have implications for developing targeted interventions to address binge-drinking and its associated health risks.