---
title: Does the menstrual cycle phase affect a woman's ability to quit smoking?
description: Yes. Women had significantly higher premenstrual symptoms and smoking urges in the luteal phase, and variability in these measures was linked to relapse.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/influence-of-phase-related-variability-in-premenstrual-symptomatology-mood-2009/
---

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- Does the menstrual cycle phase affect a woman's ability to quit smoking?

Randomised trial, 2009

# Does the menstrual cycle phase affect a woman's ability to quit smoking?

Yes. Women had significantly higher premenstrual symptoms and smoking urges in the luteal phase, and variability in these measures was linked to relapse.

 Moderate study design

25 women intending to quit smoking

## What they did

25 women intending to quit smoking were monitored while smoking normally during their follicular and luteal phases. Researchers measured mood, premenstrual symptoms, smoking withdrawal, and how many cigarettes they smoked each day.

## What they found

Premenstrual symptoms and some mood and smoking withdrawal measures were significantly higher during the luteal phase than the follicular phase. Variability in these symptoms was associated with relapse. Cigarettes per day did not differ between phases.

## What it means for you

The menstrual cycle may affect smoking cessation success through hormone-related changes in symptoms and cravings. Main limit: small sample of 25 women.

25

women studied

luteal phase

phase with higher symptoms

p=0.0186

urge to smoke variability linked to relapse

## About the study

Original title Influence of phase-related variability in premenstrual symptomatology, mood, smoking withdrawal, and smoking behavior during ad libitum smoking, on smoking cessation outcome Authors Allen SS, Allen AM, Pomerleau CS Journal Addictive behaviors Year 2009 Study design Randomised trial Participants 25 What was tested Observation only - no intervention Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2008.08.009](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2008.08.009)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/)

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