Effects of menstrual phase on nicotine, alcohol, and caffeine intake in smokers

To determine whether cigarette smoking and other drug use are affected by menstrual phase, daily diaries rating menstrual symptomatology, smoking, and alcohol and caffeine intake in female smokers were examined. Women with premenstrual symptomatology were excluded. Menstrual symptomatology peaked during menses and was accounted for primarily by symptoms indicative of physical discomfort. Smoking did not differ as a function of menstrual phase, nor did there emerge any systematic intrasubject correlation between symptomatology and smoking. Alcohol and caffeine intake also failed to show phase-related differences. It was concluded that substance intake is highly stable across the menstrual cycle in female smokers.