Women and Alcohol

Having more than one alcoholic drink per day increases a woman's chances for high blood pressure, stroke, some types of cancer, injury (e.g., motor vehicle crashes, violence), and suicide. Alcohol use, especially binge drinking (four or more drinks in about two hours), might also lead to an unplanned pregnancy, a sexually transmitted infection, or sexual assault. Some people, including pregnant women and women who might become pregnant, should not drink alcohol at all. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is one of the top preventable causes of birth defects and developmental disabilities, known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).

A Local Example of Advocacy (Post Dispatch Story)

"What's really disturbing is it's the one form of mental retardation birth defect that is 100 percent preventable," says Melinda M. Ohlemiller, director of prevention and advocacy for St. Louis Arc, an agency that advocates for people with birth defects. So the fight against fetal alcohol syndrome can be won without compromise, Ohlemiller says. That's why health experts have increased their warnings about drinking while pregnant. Even that one glass of red wine at night or a couple of beers on the weekend can have consequences for your unborn child, says Dr. Mark Mengel, professor of family and community medicine at St. Louis University School of Medicine.