---
title: Does quitting smoking feel harder at certain times of your menstrual cycle?
description: A review of 13 studies found that some showed women experience more withdrawal and cravings during the luteal phase (the second half of the cycle), but the ev
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-cycle-phase-effects-on-nicotine-withdrawal-and-cigarette-craving-a-2006/
---

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- Does quitting smoking feel harder at certain times of your menstrual cycle?

Interview study, 2006

# Does quitting smoking feel harder at certain times of your menstrual cycle?

A review of 13 studies found that some showed women experience more withdrawal and cravings during the luteal phase (the second half of the cycle), but the evidence is inconsistent.

 Early or limited evidence

Women attempting to quit smoking (literature review)

## What they did

Reviewed 13 published studies examining how menstrual cycle phase affects nicotine withdrawal and cigarette craving in women trying to quit smoking.

## What they found

Some of the 13 studies found heightened withdrawal and craving during the luteal phase (the latter days of the menstrual cycle). However, findings were inconsistent across studies. One challenge is distinguishing withdrawal symptoms from premenstrual symptoms, which also occur in the luteal phase. Some studies excluded women with severe PMDD. Most studies had small sample sizes and other methodological issues.

## What it means for you

If you smoke and want to time quitting based on your cycle, the luteal phase might be harder for withdrawal symptoms, but the evidence is weak. The main limitations are that most studies were small, used different methods, and sometimes excluded women with severe PMS symptoms.

13

Studies reviewed

## About the study

Original title Menstrual cycle phase effects on nicotine withdrawal and cigarette craving: a review Authors Carpenter MJ, Upadhyaya HP, LaRowe SD et al. Journal Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Year 2006 Study design Interview study What was tested Smoking cessation attempts timed to menstrual cycle phases Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/14622200600910793](https://doi.org/10.1080/14622200600910793)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/)

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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