---
title: Do women with PMDD use more cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs at certain times in their cycle?
description: Yes. Women with PMDD increased smoking, alcohol, and other drug use during menstruation. However, the peak use did not match their worst mood symptoms, sugges
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effects-of-menstrual-phase-on-intake-of-nicotine-caffeine-and-alcohol-and-1994/
---

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- Do women with PMDD use more cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs at certain times in their cycle?

Survey study, 1994

# Do women with PMDD use more cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs at certain times in their cycle?

Yes. Women with PMDD increased smoking, alcohol, and other drug use during menstruation. However, the peak use did not match their worst mood symptoms, suggesting it is not simply using these substances to feel better.

 Early or limited evidence

9 female smokers with PMDD (late luteal phase dysphoric disorder)

## What they did

Nine female smokers who met criteria for PMDD kept daily diaries for one menstrual cycle, rating their symptoms and their use of cigarettes, alcohol, nonprescription drugs, and caffeine.

## What they found

Smoking, alcohol, and nonprescription drug intake increased during menses. Caffeine intake was unaffected by menstrual phase. Menstrual symptomatology peaked during the premenstrual phase. No systematic within-person correlation between symptomatology and smoking was detected. Peak intake did not coincide with peak symptomatology.

## What it means for you

Substance use does vary with the menstrual cycle in women with PMDD, but women are not simply using these substances to cope with their worst symptoms. The mechanism is unclear. This is a very small study with no control group for comparison.

9

female smokers with PMDD

increased

smoking, alcohol, drugs during menses

stable

caffeine intake across cycle

## About the study

Original title Effects of menstrual phase on intake of nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol and nonprescribed drugs in women with late luteal phase dysphoric disorder Authors Marks JL, Hair CS, Klock SC et al. Journal Journal of substance abuse Year 1994 Study design Survey study What was tested Daily tracking of symptoms and substance use Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0899-3289(94)90265-8](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0899-3289(94)90265-8)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/)

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## Related studies

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