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.
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
Topics
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