---
title: Does menstrual cycle phase affect how nicotine affects women?
description: Yes, menstrual cycle phase affects how smoking activates stress hormones and subjective feelings. Women in the high progesterone luteal phase showed reduced e
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-effects-of-smoked-nicotine-on-measures-of-subjective-states-and-hypothalamic-2015/
---

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- Does menstrual cycle phase affect how nicotine affects women?

Survey study, 2015

# Does menstrual cycle phase affect how nicotine affects women?

Yes, menstrual cycle phase affects how smoking activates stress hormones and subjective feelings. Women in the high progesterone luteal phase showed reduced emotional and hormonal responses to smoking compared to other phases.

 Early or limited evidence

17 healthy nicotine-dependent women

## What they did

Study of 17 nicotine-dependent women examined during different phases of their menstrual cycle. Women smoked while researchers measured stress hormones in blood and asked about subjective feelings.

## What they found

Smoking activated stress hormones including ACTH, cortisol, and DHEA during both follicular and luteal phases and affected feelings such as increased rush and decreased craving. Women in the high progesterone luteal phase showed reduced hormone and subjective responses.

## What it means for you

Higher progesterone in the later menstrual cycle phase may reduce the addictive effects of nicotine by making smoking feel less rewarding and more unpleasant. This is a pilot study with a small group, so results need confirmation in larger studies.

17

nicotine-dependent women studied

2

menstrual cycle phases examined

## About the study

Original title The effects of smoked nicotine on measures of subjective states and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hormones in women during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle Authors Goletiani NV, Siegel AJ, Lukas SE et al. Journal Journal of addiction medicine Year 2015 Study design Survey study What was tested Smoking a cigarette while menstrual cycle phase and hormone levels were measured Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/adm.0000000000000117](https://doi.org/10.1097/adm.0000000000000117)

## Topics

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

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