Survey study, 1992
Does the menstrual cycle affect a woman's ability to quit smoking?
Yes. Premenstrual women had much less success stopping smoking and experienced more tiredness, confusion, depression, anxiety, and irritability than women in the midcycle phase.
What they did
Researchers asked 10 women in the midcycle phase, 10 in the premenstrual phase, and 10 men to stop smoking for two consecutive days. Everyone filled out questionnaires about mood and smoking motivation before and during the no-smoking days.
What they found
Midcycle females and males achieved significantly greater smoking reduction than premenstrual females during the two no-smoking days. Premenstrual females reported becoming significantly more tired, confused, depressed, anxious, and irritable than midcycle females. Midcycle females reported only slight changes in mood.
What it means for you
The time of your cycle might affect how easy it is to quit smoking. It may be easier during midcycle than before your period. However, this is a very small study from 1992 with only 10 people in each group.
10
women in midcycle phase
10
women in premenstrual phase
10
men
About the study
- Original title
- Smoking cessation in women: effects of the menstrual cycle
- Authors
- Craig D, Parrott A, Coomber JA
- Journal
- The International journal of the addictions
- Year
- 1992
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 10
- What was tested
- Attempting to stop smoking for two days
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/10826089209068761