Quit Smoking During Menstrual Cycle, Says Study

Women smokers often would like to quit smoking. They could succeed doing so just before their menstrual cycle according to a study conducted by researchers of University of Minnesota.

The researchers attributing quitting smoking to the sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone, observed that the lulls and surges experienced during the usual 28-day cycle could affect the levels of severity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

Scientists also claim that hormones could affect the speed of nicotine withdrawal from the blood. There is, no doubt, a link between menstrual periods and mood swings. The latest research, of course, highlights why women smokers light up more some times.

The study, which tested 200 women smokers, asked half of them to quit smoking during the “follicular” stage of their menstrual cycle. This happens to be the time between ending of period and ovulation, when the egg is released from the ovary.

Other participants in the study were asked to quit during the “luteal” stage, which refers to the fortnight or so between ovulation and the beginning of a new cycle.

After a span of 30 days, only two of the women gave up their follicular phase continued to be smoke-free. Eight among ten smoked at least a cigarette. Those who tried to quit in the “luteal” stage had a success rate of four out of ten. No doubt, six out of ten started smoking again, which shows that it is difficult to give up the habit.

The researchers opine that the study highlights the important role of ovarian hormones in cessation of smoking.

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