These data suggest that there are significant gender and menstrual cycle differences in the response to acute intranasal cocaine administration. These differences may have implications for the differential abuse of this drug and for treatment. The authors of the study hypothesized that the differences in the rate at which cocaine is metabolized may account for the drug's different effects in men and women. Physical changes that occur during the menstrual cycle, specifically a greater physical barrier to cocaine absorption created by an increase in mucosity, also may contribute to women's decreased sensitivity to intranasal cocaine. Recent animal studies demonstrate enhanced responses of females to stimulants as compared with males.
Researchers postulate the role of gender differences in dopaminergic function.
9 Relapse Gender differences have been identified in relapse. Women in treatment for cocaine addiction were more likely than men to report negative emotions and inter personal problems before they relapsed. 10 Women were also much more likely to be impulsive in their return to cocaine use. Men were more apt to report positive emotions prior to relapse. These gender differences indicate that different relapse prevention strategies should be used with women and men.