Systematic review, 2021
Does substance use change across the menstrual cycle, especially in women with PMS or PMDD?
Yes. Women use more nicotine before and during their period, especially those with PMDD or PMS, and alcohol use also increases during these phases.
What they did
Systematic review of 34 studies on the relationship between menstrual cycle phase and addictive behaviors including alcohol, smoking, cannabis, caffeine, and gambling. Researchers screened 1,568 articles total from medical databases.
What they found
Strong evidence showed nicotine use increased during the premenstrual and menstrual phases, with particularly high use among women with PMDD or PMS. Alcohol use also increased during these phases, especially in those with PMDD or PMS. Results for cannabis, caffeine, and gambling were less consistent or not well studied.
What it means for you
The menstrual cycle affects some addictive behaviors, particularly smoking. Women with PMDD or PMS may be especially vulnerable to increased smoking and alcohol use around their period. This matters when treating substance use disorders in women.
34
studies reviewed
1,568
articles initially screened
About the study
- Original title
- Addictive behaviors across the menstrual cycle: a systematic review
- Authors
- Joyce KM, Good KP, Tibbo P et al.
- Journal
- Archives of women's mental health
- Year
- 2021
- Study design
- Systematic review
- What was tested
- None - observational review of existing studies
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s00737-020-01094-0
Topics
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