Survey study, 1994
Do women with PMDD use more cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs at certain times in their cycle?
Yes. Women with PMDD increased smoking, alcohol, and other drug use during menstruation. However, the peak use did not match their worst mood symptoms, suggesting it is not simply using these substances to feel better.
What they did
Nine female smokers who met criteria for PMDD kept daily diaries for one menstrual cycle, rating their symptoms and their use of cigarettes, alcohol, nonprescription drugs, and caffeine.
What they found
Smoking, alcohol, and nonprescription drug intake increased during menses. Caffeine intake was unaffected by menstrual phase. Menstrual symptomatology peaked during the premenstrual phase. No systematic within-person correlation between symptomatology and smoking was detected. Peak intake did not coincide with peak symptomatology.
What it means for you
Substance use does vary with the menstrual cycle in women with PMDD, but women are not simply using these substances to cope with their worst symptoms. The mechanism is unclear. This is a very small study with no control group for comparison.
9
female smokers with PMDD
increased
smoking, alcohol, drugs during menses
stable
caffeine intake across cycle
About the study
- Original title
- Effects of menstrual phase on intake of nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol and nonprescribed drugs in women with late luteal phase dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Marks JL, Hair CS, Klock SC et al.
- Journal
- Journal of substance abuse
- Year
- 1994
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- Daily tracking of symptoms and substance use
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0899-3289(94)90265-8
Topics
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