Survey study, 2025
How do estrogen and progesterone affect anxiety and cigarette craving during the menstrual cycle?
Anxiety and cigarette craving are highest during the 7 days before your period starts and the first 3 days after, regardless of hormone levels. At other times, higher progesterone and lower estrogen are linked to lower anxiety and craving.
What they did
50 women who smoke daily provided morning saliva samples to measure estrogen and progesterone. They also reported their anxiety and cigarette craving each day. Researchers compared days right before and during the period (perimenstrum) with other days of the cycle.
What they found
During perimenstrum, anxiety and craving were high no matter what the hormone levels were. Outside perimenstrum, higher progesterone with lower estrogen was associated with lower anxiety and lower craving.
What it means for you
The time around your period is a high-risk window for anxiety and craving regardless of hormone levels. At other times, the balance between your hormones matters more. These findings are from women who smoke daily, so may not apply to all women.
50
women studied
7
days before period in perimenstrum window
3
days after period starts in perimenstrum window
About the study
- Original title
- The Influence of Perimenstrual Daily Ovarian Hormones on Anxiety and Cigarette Craving
- Authors
- Farris SG, Rogers AH, DiBello AM et al.
- Journal
- Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 50
- What was tested
- Daily measurement of estrogen and progesterone during natural menstrual cycle
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntaf052
Topics
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