--- title: Does menstrual cycle phase affect protective hormones during smoking cessation? description: Yes. Allopregnanolone (a hormone related to progesterone) decreased by 10% during smoking cessation in the follicular phase but increased by 31% in the luteal url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-phase-depressive-symptoms-and-allopregnanolone-during-short-term-2013/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does menstrual cycle phase affect protective hormones during smoking cessation? Non-randomised trial, 2013 # Does menstrual cycle phase affect protective hormones during smoking cessation? Yes. Allopregnanolone (a hormone related to progesterone) decreased by 10% during smoking cessation in the follicular phase but increased by 31% in the luteal phase, which may explain why the luteal phase is better for quitting smoking. Moderate study design 84 women smokers, 48 with depression history, 36 without, average age 30 years ## What they did They studied 84 women smokers (48 with depression or past depression, 36 without) during both the follicular and luteal phases. Blood samples were taken while women smoked normally and on the fourth day of confirmed smoking cessation. ## What they found Allopregnanolone decreased by 10% during cessation in the follicular phase but increased by 31% in the luteal phase. No significant differences in allopregnanolone levels between women with and without depression. Average age was 30 years, smoked 12.6 cigarettes daily, and 73% were White. ## What it means for you The luteal phase appears more favorable for quitting smoking due to hormone increases that may protect against relapse. The follicular phase may be riskier. However, this was a small study with limited ethnic diversity, so results may not apply to all women. -10% Allopregnanolone change in follicular phase +31% Allopregnanolone change in luteal phase 12.6 Cigarettes smoked per day (average) ## About the study Original title Menstrual phase, depressive symptoms, and allopregnanolone during short-term smoking cessation Authors Allen AM, al'Absi M, Lando H et al. Journal Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology Year 2013 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 84 What was tested Smoking cessation for 4 days during two different menstrual cycle phases Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1037/a0034075](https://doi.org/10.1037/a0034075) ## Topics [Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/) 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 Systematic review, 2026 Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle? Survey study, 2022 What causes PMS and PMDD and what new treatments are being studied? Randomised trial, 2024 Does sertraline change brain chemicals in people with PMDD, and does this relate to symptom improvement? Randomised trial, 2023 Does estrogen and progesterone around the period help with suicidal thoughts? Case-control study, 2022 Are differences in emotional brain activity in women with PMDD related to progesterone-derived neurosteroids? Randomised trial, 2021 Does blocking progesterone receptors help women with PMDD control anger and aggression? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗