Comparison of Smoking Cravings and Withdrawal Symptoms in Three Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

Abstract

Introduction. Women have more difficulty quitting smoking and a greater risk of relapse in stressful situations. Although the menstrual cycle influences smoking cravings and withdrawal symptoms, the phase in which participants show higher rates of the latter has yet to be identified. Objective. To evaluate whether there are significant differences between three groups at different phases of the menstrual cycle in smoking cravings and withdrawal symptoms, after a stress induction task. Method. A quasi-experimental transversal design with pre-test and post-test measurements was used, with female smokers aged between 18 and 40 years old as participants. Researchers monitored the duration of their menstrual cycles and tobacco use patterns for approximately two months. They were then divided into three groups based on the three menstrual cycle phases and given the induction stress task, after which pre-test and post-test stress, withdrawal symptom, and smoking craving scores were obtained. Results. No differences were observed in smoking cravings or withdrawal symptoms in the three phases of the cycle. Mean stress was significantly higher during the late luteal phase, during which there was also a moderate correlation between the stress score and withdrawal symptoms. Mean post-test stress predicted withdrawal symptoms in the early follicular and late luteal phase groups. Discussion and conclusion. Although smoking cravings and withdrawal symptoms did not differ among groups, stress scores were higher during the early follicular phase and luteal phase. It is recommended that stress-management strategies be implemented during these two phases.