The Influence of Hormonal Fluctuation on Stress-Induced Smoking Cravings in Women

Women experience greater difficulties in quitting smoking, though the hormonal factors contributing to this sex difference remain to be clarified. Increased smoking has been observed in the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and the current study aimed to clarify the role that changes in reproductive hormones may play in explaining these cycle effects. Furthermore, it tested the hypothesis that stress-induced smoking cravings are more pronounced during the luteal phase. To this end, twenty-two smoking women underwent two laboratory sessions–one in the mid-follicular phase and the other in the late luteal phase–involving an in-vivo smoking cue task, administered before and after exposure to a psychosocial laboratory stressor. Heart rate variability (HRV) and subjective smoking cravings in response to the pre- and post-stress cues were measured. Furthermore, urinary metabolites of estradiol and progesterone and daily number of cigarettes smoked were monitored regularly throughout the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Results revealed that the luteal phase is associated with lower HRV parameters reflecting parasympathetic autonomic tone, and tended to be associated with greater self-reported smoking cravings in response to the smoking cue; however, this did not translate into greater daily smoking, as assessed by daily diaries. Cycles effects on cue reactivity were seen only in highly nicotine-dependent women, were not moderated by acute stress exposure, and were driven by the greater hormonal fluctuation that accompanies the late luteal phase. These findings clarify the biological and psychological processes by which the menstrual cycle impact one’s propensity to smoke. Keywords: estradiol and progesterone, stress, smoking cravings

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Clinical Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina

Year dc:date.issued

2019

Author dc:creator

• Ethier, Ashley Rae

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Gordon, Jennifer

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Sykes Tottenham, Laurie
• Wright, Kristi

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

https://doi.org/10.82465/3869

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:uregina.scholaris.ca:10294/8868