--- title: Do women with PMS in addiction treatment experience more alcohol cravings? description: Women in addiction treatment with PMS had higher alcohol cravings than community women. PMS symptoms predicted cravings in the treatment group but not the gen url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-predicts-alcohol-craving-in-women-with-substance-use-2022/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do women with PMS in addiction treatment experience more alcohol cravings? Case-control study, 2022 # Do women with PMS in addiction treatment experience more alcohol cravings? Women in addiction treatment with PMS had higher alcohol cravings than community women. PMS symptoms predicted cravings in the treatment group but not the general population, and PMS was much more common in women with substance use disorders. Early or limited evidence 151 women in addiction treatment and 101 community women ## What they did Between 2018 and 2020, researchers compared 151 women in addiction treatment centers to 101 community women. They used questionnaires to measure PMS symptoms, alcohol use problems, and alcohol cravings. ## What they found PMS was significantly more common in the addiction treatment group (48.3 percent) than in the community group (26.7 percent). PMDD was also more common (16.6 versus 5.9 percent). In the treatment group, alcohol problems predicted 50 percent of cravings, and PMS symptoms also contributed to cravings. In the community group, PMS did not predict cravings. ## What it means for you Women with substance use disorders have much higher rates of PMS and PMDD. If they have PMS symptoms, they may experience stronger alcohol cravings, which could increase their risk of relapse. This is important for addiction treatment planning. The study shows a link but doesn't prove PMS causes craving. 48.3% addiction treatment women with PMS 26.7% community women with PMS 16.6% addiction treatment women with PMDD ## About the study Original title Premenstrual syndrome predicts alcohol craving in women with substance use disorders Authors Qurishi R, Drenth JPH, De Jong CAJ Journal Women & health Year 2022 Study design Case-control study Participants 151 What was tested None; observational study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2022.2084212](https://doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2022.2084212) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[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/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/) 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 Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Case report, 2026 Can anxiety and PMDD trigger binge drinking, and can medication help? Survey study, 2026 Is PMS or PMDD linked to eating disorders? Survey study, 2025 What lifestyle and body composition factors are associated with PMS in young women? Randomised trial, 2024 Does what you eat affect PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2013 Does smoking behavior change across the menstrual cycle and is it linked to mood and period symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗