Table 3.
Studies of Smoking Cessation/Relapse and Menstrual Cycle Phase/Ovarian Hormones
Reference | Reference note | Type of treatment | Length of treatment | Number of menstrual phases assessed | Menstrual cycle phases assessed | Random assignment to menstrual phase for quit attempt? | Primary findings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mazure et al. 42 | – | Bupropion (300mg) | 6 weeks | 2 | Follicular, luteal | No | Greater point prevalence abstinence for participants who quit during the luteal phase (62.5%) compared to the follicular phase (29.4%, p < .05) at the end of the trial. No significant differences in quit rates by menstrual cycle phase at the three month follow-up (luteal phase, 18.8%; follicular phase, 11.8%; p > .05). |
Epperson et al. 35 | – | TNP (21mg/ day), Naltrexone (0, 25, 50, 100mg) | 6 weeks | 2 | Follicular, luteal | No | No significant differences in quit rates by menstrual cycle phase |
Allen, Allen, Lunos, et al. 46 | Secondary analysis of Allen et al. 51 | Counseling | 26 weeks | 2 | Follicular, luteal | Noa | More participants relapsed during the follicular phase than the luteal phase (59.7% vs. 40.3%, p < .05). The majority of participants (65.9%) relapsed in the same phase in which they quit smoking. |
Allen, Allen, Widenmier, et al. 48 | Secondary analysis of Allen et al. 51 | Counseling | 26 weeks | 2 | Follicular, luteal | Yes | No significant differences in time to relapse to smoking by menstrual cycle phase |
Allen, Allen, and Pomerleau 49 | Secondary analysis of Allen et al. 51 | Counseling | 26 weeks | 2 | Follicular, luteal | Yes | No significant differences in quit rates by menstrual cycle phase |
Allen et al. 51 | – | Counseling | 26 weeks | 2 | Follicular, luteal | Yes | More participants who quit during the follicular phase had relapsed to smoking after 14 days (84%) and 30 days (86%) compared to the participants who quit during the luteal phase (14 days, 65%; 30 days, 66%; ps < .001). With regard to the outcome variable of days until seven slips, participants who quit smoking during the follicular phase relapsed to smoking in a fewer number of days (M = 20.6 days, SD = 45.8) than participants who quit in the luteal phase (M = 39.2, SD = 59.0, p < .05). The majority of participants relapsed in the same phase in which they quit smoking (Continuous abstinence, 88%–91%; prolonged abstinence, 69%–76%). |
Carpenter et al. 52 | – | TNP (21mg/ day), Counseling | 6 weeks | 2 | Follicular, luteal | Yes | Non-significant trend of higher point prevalence abstinence after 2 weeks for participants who quit during the follicular phase (treatment initiators, 32%; intention to treat sample, 24%) compared to the luteal phase (19%, 16%). |
Franklin et al. 53 | – | TNP (21mg/ day), Counseling | 8 weeks | 2 | Follicular, luteal | No | Greater abstinence for participants who quit during the follicular phase vs. the luteal phase after 3 days of treatment (81% vs. 48%, p < .05) and 1 week after the end of TNP treatment (69% vs. 29%, p < .05). |
– = not applicable, not reported, or unable to calculate from available data; TNP = transdermal nicotine patch.
aParticipants were women who had relapsed after a quit attempt and self-selected the timing of a second quit attempt.