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Women & Cirrhosis of the Liver

When too much alcohol is consumed to be adequately processed by the liver, the liver can be damaged, and cirrhosis might be the result. Women are more likely than men to die from cirrhosis, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

  1. Cirrhosis

    • Cirrhosis is the most serious type of alcohol-induced liver disease, according to the Liver Foundation. It is a life-threatening disease that occurs when the normal tissue of the liver is replaced with scar tissue.

    Symptoms

    • Women with cirrhosis of the liver may have a decreased appetite, weight loss, swelling of the abdomen and legs, jaundice and feel weak, sick or tired.

    Health Risks

    • Cirrhosis of the liver may cause an enlarged spleen, high blood pressure, bleeding from veins in the esophagus, change in mental function, coma, kidney failure and liver cancer.

    Pregnancy

    • Women living with cirrhosis of the liver might have difficulty conceiving and even suffer from infertility. Those who do successfully conceive are at higher risk for developing serious complications throughout their pregnancy, such as premature birth, stillbirth and liver failure, according to liverdisease.com. Approximately 15 percent to 20 percent of pregnant women with cirrhosis experience a miscarriage.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Women with cirrhosis might prevent further damage to their liver if they stop consuming alcohol, but any damage that has been done to the liver from cirrhosis is irreversible. A health care professional might prescribe medications to manage the complications caused by cirrhosis and will recommend lifestyle and diet alterations.

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