How Caffeine Affects Women's Health

The dangers of consuming excessive amounts of caffeine are well known among the general population. Most people have experienced the nervous jitters, insomnia, headaches, and anxiety that are associated with too much coffee, tea, soda, chocolate, and energy drinks. College students cramming for final examinations, professionals working on a major project, doctors during residency, and busy people hitting drive-throughs all day for several pick-me-up doses of caffeine are no strangers to these side effects.

Caffeine and Women

Aside from the common side effects of caffeine, there are direct correlations between caffeine and women’s health issues. Knowing what some of those are and beginning to cut down on caffeine intake can make the body more comfortable and life easier to navigate in various stages. The recommended amount of caffeine for any adult in one day is four-hundred milligrams, according to an article on the Mayo Clinic website. For reference, the amount of caffeine in one 8-ounce cup of coffee that is brewed in a drip machine contains one-hundred and fifty to two-hundred milligrams.

Pregnancy

Recommendations for drinking caffeine during pregnancy limit the intake to between two and three-hundred milligrams a day at the very least. Cutting down as much as possible is preferable to lower associated risks. Excessive caffeine has been linked to problems for both mother and baby during gestation. Caffeine limits blood flow to the placenta and is linked to low birth weights of infants.

In pregnant women, caffeine can increase blood pressure and blood glucose levels. It also taxes the liver which is already strained due to increased hormone activity. Excessive intake while pregnant may lead to higher risks of miscarriage or stillbirth.

Menopause

Too much caffeine during menopause will exacerbate many of the common symptoms, such as insomnia, mood swings, headaches, increased urination, anxiety, and depression. Reducing caffeine intake, getting more exercise, staying hydrated, and eating healthy foods that are nutrient-rich can reduce or relieve the most uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. Changes in diet and behavior can reduce the need for hormone therapy in some women. Education regarding health issues in women can be found at doctor offices, online, and in centers and clinics specifically dedicated to the physical, emotional, and mental health of women.