British researchers found women who exceeded their weekly alcohol limit were also far more likely to have an abortion.
The study of 25,000 individuals also found the proportion of teenage girls who blamed alcohol for losing their virginity more than doubled over the past 60 years.
The University College London study, published on Friday, also found the number of people drinking to excess had tripled in 10 years.
The study, reported in the Journal of Public Health, suggested that increased alcohol use was linked to a rise in women engaging in unprotected sex.
The study’s conclusions come amid growing concerns about the rise of binge drinking following the relaxation of drinking laws.
Government figures have shown that one in four people – a total of 10 million – is estimated to be putting their health at risk by drinking more alcohol than the recommended limits.
In their study, UCL researchers examined the alcohol consumption and sexual activity of individuals aged 16 to 44 over a ten-year period.
They found that women who drank to excess, which experts say is more than 14 units a week, were 1.8 times more likely to have taken emergency contraception such as the morning after pill at least once over the past year.
They were also 1.4 times more likely to have had at least one abortion over the past 18 months, the study found.
The study team also found the number of teenagers blaming alcohol consumption for losing their virginity had risen from 2.4 per cent in the 1940s to 6.4 per cent today.
Official figures show that more than 200,000 abortions take place every year in England and Wales. the highest rate in Europe.
“Alcohol misuse is now a huge problem and is costing the NHS millions every year,” said Dr Sarah Jarvis, of the Royal College of General Practitioners.
Campaigners have become increasingly concerned in recent years about the rise of the “ladette culture” or women who engage in anti-social behaviour and violent behaviour due to binge drinking.
The government is currently reviewing 24-hour drinking laws, meaning they could be eventually scrapped.
Source: Telegraph.co.uk (UK), 21/08/10
