Case report, 2020
Does premenstrual syndrome make it harder to stop using drugs?
In three women being treated for GHB dependence, strong urges to use the drug appeared during the premenstrual period. This suggests premenstrual symptoms may be connected to substance use cravings.
What they did
Doctors followed three women with dependence on GHB (a drug of abuse) during hospital detoxification. They tracked premenstrual complaints and the women's cravings for GHB across two menstrual cycles.
What they found
While in the hospital, the women did not return to using GHB. However, they reported high cravings for the drug during each menstrual cycle. In the late luteal phase (about a week before the period), cravings were strongest. The severity of their premenstrual complaints seemed to match how strong their drug cravings were.
What it means for you
Premenstrual symptoms may be connected to substance cravings in women with drug dependence. If true, this could help doctors treat women who struggle with both premenstrual disorders and addiction. The main limit is this describes only three women followed for two cycles, so we don't know how strong this connection is in other women or for longer periods.
3
Number of women
2
Menstrual cycles tracked
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrome as a risk factor for relapse in GHB dependent patients: a case series
- Authors
- Rouhollah Qurishi, Marieke Arts-De Jong, Victor J. A. Buwalda et al.
- Journal
- Journal of Substance Use
- Year
- 2020
- Study design
- Case report
- What was tested
- Hospital detoxification; measurement of premenstrual symptoms and drug cravings
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1080/14659891.2020.1723725
Topics
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