--- title: Does menstrual cycle phase affect smoking withdrawal symptoms? description: Withdrawal symptoms from smoking were not significantly different depending on menstrual cycle phase. However, the urge to smoke did increase in the late lute url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/withdrawal-and-pre-menstrual-symptomatology-during-the-menstrual-cycle-in-short-1999/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does menstrual cycle phase affect smoking withdrawal symptoms? Randomised trial, 1999 # Does menstrual cycle phase affect smoking withdrawal symptoms? Withdrawal symptoms from smoking were not significantly different depending on menstrual cycle phase. However, the urge to smoke did increase in the late luteal phase, suggesting women may find quitting harder at that time. Moderate study design 21 female smokers with clinically verified menstrual cycle phase ## What they did RCT with 21 female smokers. Sixteen were randomized to stop smoking for 5 days and 5 continued smoking. They were admitted to a hospital clinical research unit for two 7-day stays during different menstrual cycle phases, with a 1-month break between stays. Withdrawal symptoms, smoking urges, and pre-menstrual symptoms were measured each day. ## What they found Withdrawal symptomatology was not affected by menstrual cycle phase. However, smoking urges scores suggested increased desire to smoke and desire to relieve negative affect in the late luteal phase when pre-menstrual symptoms are highest. Cigarette consumption remained stable across the cycle in both groups. ## What it means for you Menstrual cycle phase may not directly worsen withdrawal symptoms in the short term. However, increased urges in the late luteal phase could make quitting harder for some women. The study only tested 5 days of abstinence in a hospital setting, which may not reflect real-world quitting attempts. 21 female smokers enrolled 16 assigned to smoking cessation 7 days length of each hospital stay ## About the study Original title Withdrawal and pre-menstrual symptomatology during the menstrual cycle in short-term smoking abstinence: effects of menstrual cycle on smoking abstinence Authors Allen SS, Hatsukami DK, Christianson D et al. Journal Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Year 1999 Study design Randomised trial Participants 16 What was tested Smoking abstinence vs continued smoking Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/14622299050011241](https://doi.org/10.1080/14622299050011241) ## 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/) 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 Survey study, 2025 Does PMDD or PMS affect quality of life? Systematic review, 2025 Does alcohol use affect menstrual health in teenage girls? Systematic review, 2021 Does substance use change across the menstrual cycle, especially in women with PMS or PMDD? Cohort study, 2026 Are diet and lifestyle linked to premenstrual symptoms in college students? Cohort study, 2026 Does cannabis use vary across the menstrual cycle in people with premenstrual disorders? Survey study, 2024 Is physical activity linked to PMS symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗