Impact of menstrual cycle on smoking cessation: A review

Background. Information on the way menstrual cycle phases can influence the achievement of tobacco abstinence is contradictory. Objective. A scope review was conducted to determine the effect of the menstrual cycle on tobacco abstinence, considering the phases of the cycle, hormone levels, and premenstrual syndrome. Method. A literature search was conducted in Scopus, PubMed, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO databases. Ten articles comparing the phases of the menstrual cycle or analyzing the association between premenstrual syndrome and a withdrawal condition (length of abstinence or withdrawal symptoms) were included. Results. Two main results were identified: 1) there is no difference in withdrawal symptoms and craving between menstrual cycle phases and 2) abstinence rates in the studies were higher during the luteal phase. Discussion and conclusion. The advisability of suggesting that women wishing to quit smoking should begin to do so at the start of the luteal phrase is discussed. However, smoking cessation interventions must consider all the symptoms experienced during the luteal phase.