--- title: Does smoking behavior change across the menstrual cycle and is it linked to mood and period symptoms? description: Yes. Young women smokers smoked more cigarettes and had stronger cravings during the luteal phase (second half of the cycle). Smoking was linked to higher dep url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/association-of-menstrual-phase-with-smoking-behavior-mood-and-menstrual-phase-2013/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does smoking behavior change across the menstrual cycle and is it linked to mood and period symptoms? Survey study, 2013 # Does smoking behavior change across the menstrual cycle and is it linked to mood and period symptoms? Yes. Young women smokers smoked more cigarettes and had stronger cravings during the luteal phase (second half of the cycle). Smoking was linked to higher depression and menstrual symptoms, but the study cannot prove smoking causes these or vice versa. Early or limited evidence 29 young Japanese women smokers aged 19-25 ## What they did Cross-sectional study of 29 young Japanese women smokers aged 19-25. Researchers tracked menstrual phases by measuring basal body temperature and urinary LH surge over two cycles. Every day they measured cigarettes smoked, breath CO concentration, smoking cravings, depression, and menstrual symptoms. ## What they found The number of cigarettes smoked and CO concentration were higher in the luteal phase than the follicular phase. Smoking cravings, depression, and menstrual symptoms were higher in the menstrual and luteal phases than the follicular phase. Mean depression scores (CES-D) were 16.9±8.2 in the menstrual phase and 17.2±8.4 in the luteal phase, both at or above the depression screening cutoff of 16. Smoking amount, cravings, depression, and menstrual symptoms were significantly correlated in all phases except for menstrual symptoms in the follicular phase. ## What it means for you Young women smokers smoke more during the second half of their cycle. Smoking, mood, and symptoms are linked together, but we do not know if smoking causes symptoms, if symptoms cause smoking, or if hormones cause both. This small study of 29 Japanese women aged 19-25 may not apply broadly. 29 women studied 17.2±8.4 mean depression score in luteal phase 19-25 age range ## About the study Original title Association of menstrual phase with smoking behavior, mood and menstrual phase-associated symptoms among young Japanese women smokers Authors Sakai H, Ohashi K Journal BMC women's health Year 2013 Study design Survey study What was tested None (observational study tracking across menstrual cycle) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1186/1472-6874-13-10](https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6874-13-10) Original abstract Background: Previous studies of the relationship between the menstrual phases and smoking behavior have been problematic, so the association of menstrual phases with smoking behavior and correlations among smoking, psychological and physical conditions in each phase of the menstrual cycle are unclear. Methods: To accurately examine the association between menstrual phases and the amount of smoking (number of cigarettes smoked and breath CO concentration), craving of smoking on visual analogue scale (VAS), depression in the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale, and menstrual phase-associated symptoms in the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ), we improved various methodological issues, specifically, 1) Ovulation was confirmed by measuring the basal body temperature and identifying a urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) surge in two cycles; 2) The menstrual, follicular, and luteal phases were clearly defined for subjects with different menstrual cycles; 3) The breath CO concentration was measured every day. A notice was posted on public bulletin boards to recruit research subjects and twenty-nine young Japanese women smokers aged 19 to 25 years old were analyzed. Results: The number of cigarettes smoked was greater and the CO concentration was higher in the luteal phase than in the follicular phase. The levels of craving for smoking (VAS), depressiveness (CES-D), and menstrual phase-associated symptoms (MDQ) in the menstrual and luteal phases were higher than those in the follicular phase. The mean score for CES-D was 16 points (the cut-off value in screening for depression) or higher in the menstrual (16.9 ± 8.2) and luteal phases (17.2 ± 8.4).The number of cigarettes smoked and CO concentration were significantly correlated with the levels of craving for smoking, depressiveness, and menstrual phase-associated symptoms in all phases except for MDQ scores in follicular phase. The amount of smoking in the luteal phase was most strongly correlated with these symptoms. Conclusions: In the menstrual and luteal phases, young Japanese women smokers increased their amount of smoking and suffered from greater craving for smoking, depressiveness and menstrual phase-associated symptoms. The amount of smoking was correlated with these symptoms, but their cause-effect relationship has not been determined yet. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Cohort study, 2021 Are low antioxidant vitamins or high oxidative stress linked to premenstrual syndrome? 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