--- title: Does a nicotine patch help reduce smoking cravings and premenstrual symptoms? description: Yes, a nicotine patch reduced smoking cravings and some premenstrual symptoms including pain and water retention, with the strongest effects during the late l url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effects-of-transdermal-nicotine-on-craving-withdrawal-and-premenstrual-2000/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does a nicotine patch help reduce smoking cravings and premenstrual symptoms? Randomised trial, 2000 # Does a nicotine patch help reduce smoking cravings and premenstrual symptoms? Yes, a nicotine patch reduced smoking cravings and some premenstrual symptoms including pain and water retention, with the strongest effects during the late luteal phase. Moderate study design 30 women attempting to quit smoking ## What they did 30 women trying to quit smoking were tested during two 7-day periods: once during the late luteal phase and once during the follicular phase. Each period included 2 days of normal smoking followed by 5 days of smoking abstinence. Women received either an active nicotine patch or a placebo patch. Smoking urges and premenstrual symptoms were measured using standard scales. ## What they found Both nicotine withdrawal symptoms and premenstrual symptoms were more severe in the late luteal phase. The nicotine patch reduced craving and specific premenstrual symptoms (pain and water retention) in both phases, with the strongest effects in the late luteal phase. Women on placebo in the late luteal phase showed the greatest weight gain. ## What it means for you A nicotine patch helps with both smoking withdrawal and some premenstrual symptoms. The stronger effect in the late luteal phase suggests hormonal factors influence nicotine sensitivity. This study focused on smoking cessation rather than treating PMS directly. 30 women 2 menstrual cycle phases tested 5 days of smoking abstinence ## About the study Original title Effects of transdermal nicotine on craving, withdrawal and premenstrual symptomatology in short-term smoking abstinence during different phases of the menstrual cycle Authors Allen SS, Hatsukami D, Christianson D et al. Journal Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Year 2000 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Active nicotine patch or placebo, tested in late luteal and follicular phases during 5-day abstinence Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/14622200050147493](https://doi.org/10.1080/14622200050147493) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[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, 2022 What diet, stress, and lifestyle factors are linked to PMS symptoms? Survey study, 1991 How common are menstrual symptoms in working women? Randomised trial, 2024 Does estetrol/drospirenone birth control improve PMS symptoms? Systematic review, 2021 Does damask rose help reduce menstrual pain, headache, fatigue, anxiety, and bloating? Randomised trial, 2014 Does the combination of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium reduce menstrual symptoms and migraine? Survey study, 1994 How many different ways do researchers measure PMS in clinical trials? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗