The two groups had similar ranges of age, education, marital status, and smoking history. And initially, participants reported no difference in mood, smoking desire, or menstrual discomfort. But after one week of not smoking, the late-cycle group reported significantly more anxiety, depression, and irritability. But it's not yet clear if an early follicular quit date reduces relapse. Women are in particular need of smoking cessation interventions because quitting tends to be more difficult for them, says Perkins.
Women also have more health risks from smoking than men.
And the health risks of smoking continue to grow. And in developing heart disease, smoking seems to have a more powerful effect in women than men. Teenage girls are starting to smoke at a faster rate than teenage boys. But to quit, women have to really want it. You might choose a birthday or a holiday as a quit date, or perhaps respond better to a smoking contract with your physician.