---
title: Does how women respond to cocaine depend on their menstrual cycle phase?
description: Yes. Women show stronger effects from cocaine during the follicular phase than the luteal phase, including greater heart rate increase and feeling more high.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-effects-of-smoked-cocaine-during-the-follicular-and-luteal-phases-of-the-2002/
---

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- Does how women respond to cocaine depend on their menstrual cycle phase?

Randomised trial, 2002

# Does how women respond to cocaine depend on their menstrual cycle phase?

Yes. Women show stronger effects from cocaine during the follicular phase than the luteal phase, including greater heart rate increase and feeling more high.

 Early or limited evidence

11 women who regularly smoke cocaine, not seeking treatment

## What they did

Researchers studied 11 women who regularly smoke cocaine. Each woman received cocaine during both the follicular phase and mid-luteal phase of her cycle. In each phase, she had 4 sessions where she could smoke up to 6 doses of cocaine (0, 6, 12, or 25 mg) given 14 minutes apart. Researchers measured heart rate and asked women about their feelings and the drug's effects.

## What they found

Women did not use more or fewer doses during different cycle phases. During the follicular phase, heart rate increased more and women rated the drug effect as better, felt more high, felt more stimulated and rated drug quality higher than in the luteal phase. During the luteal phase, negative mood improved more after cocaine use.

## What it means for you

Menstrual cycle phase affects how women's bodies respond to cocaine, with stronger effects during the follicular phase. This suggests hormones influence how drugs work. Main limits: very small sample (11 women), included only cocaine smokers (not the general population), and only tested one illegal drug.

11

women studied

0-25 mg

cocaine doses tested

14 minutes

interval between doses

## About the study

Original title The effects of smoked cocaine during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle in women Authors Evans SM, Haney M, Foltin RW Journal Psychopharmacology Year 2002 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Smoked cocaine in doses of 0, 6, 12, or 25 mg at 14-minute intervals Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s00213-001-0944-7](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-001-0944-7)

## Topics

[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/)

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