Effects of menstrual phase on reactivity to nicotine

The possible impact of menstrual phase upon reactivity to nicotine was inve stigated in 12 healthy women smokers. Controlled doses of nicotine were adm inistered via an intranasal aerosol delivery device to overnight-deprived w omen smokers in four hormonally verified menstrual phases. Physiological, b iochemical, and subjective measures were collected. Cycle-related symptomat ology differed significantly across phase, with lowest values during the mi d-follicular phase. No significant differences were found for baseline vari ables, including withdrawal measures. Nicotine increment was stable across phase, confirming reliability of the dosing method. No significant menstrua l phase differences were found for physiological, subjective, or biochemica l responses to nicotine. Pending investigations conducted over longer inter vals, in a wider variety of subjects, findings suggest that for this type o f study, complex strategies to control for menstrual-cycle phase effects ma y be unnecessary. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.