--- title: Does how much women smoke change at different times of their menstrual cycle? description: Yes. Women smoked more cigarettes during the late luteal phase (days before menstruation), but mood and withdrawal symptoms were similar across cycle phases. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/smoking-behavior-dysphoric-states-and-the-menstrual-cycle-results-from-single-2000/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does how much women smoke change at different times of their menstrual cycle? Randomised trial, 2000 # Does how much women smoke change at different times of their menstrual cycle? Yes. Women smoked more cigarettes during the late luteal phase (days before menstruation), but mood and withdrawal symptoms were similar across cycle phases. Moderate study design Female smokers aged 20-39 followed for two consecutive menstrual cycles ## What they did Female smokers aged 20-39 were followed for two menstrual cycles. Twice per cycle, they came to the research center. Half the time they smoked as much as they wanted. Half the time they abstained for 24 hours. Researchers measured smoking rate, mood, withdrawal symptoms, and carbon monoxide levels during the mid-to-late follicular phase and late luteal phase. ## What they found Women smoked more cigarettes per day during the late luteal phase. Carbon monoxide boost was greater during the follicular phase. Withdrawal symptoms and craving increased after 24-hour abstinence. No differences were found in mood state, nicotine boost, or menstrual symptoms by cycle phase. ## What it means for you If you're a smoker, you may smoke more in the days before your period, but your withdrawal symptoms and mood may not differ much by cycle phase. The study measured only two time points per cycle. 20-39 years age range 2 cycles study duration late luteal more cigarettes smoked ## About the study Original title Smoking behavior, dysphoric states and the menstrual cycle: results from single smoking sessions and the natural environment Authors Snively TA, Ahijevych KL, Bernhard LA et al. Journal Psychoneuroendocrinology Year 2000 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Smoking freely or after 24-hour abstinence during two cycle phases Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0306-4530(00)00018-4](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0306-4530(00)00018-4) ## 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/)[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 Study, 2020 Does drinking and craving change across the menstrual cycle in women treated for alcohol use disorder? Case-control study, 2017 What cellular changes might explain why some women develop PMDD? Survey study, 2017 Are mental health problems linked to irregular periods in teenage girls? Randomised trial, 2014 How do menstrual cycle phase and depression affect smoking withdrawal symptoms? Randomised trial, 2013 Does menstrual phase and depression affect how women respond to nicotine after quitting smoking? Non-randomised trial, 2013 Does menstrual cycle phase affect protective hormones during smoking cessation? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗