Evidence check: ADH1B in the context of Wechseljahre

ADH1B encodes alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme that metabolizes alcohol. During menopause, alcohol consumption can influence symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and bone density loss because alcohol modulates estrogen levels. However, no direct human studies link ADH1B variants to specific menopausal complaints. Evidence is limited to mechanistic reasoning: carriers of the faster ADH1B variant (e.g., rs1229984) metabolize alcohol more quickly, which could theoretically alter hormonal effects. But effect sizes are small, and lifestyle factors dominate. Consumer DNA tests report ADH1B SNPs, but clinical relevance for menopause is unproven. Adjusting alcohol intake based solely on genotype is not recommended. Caution: results may be misinterpreted, as alcohol's impact on menopause is multifactorial. Evidence: mechanistic, no robust human studies.