Association between Oral Contraceptive Use and Cigarette Dependence in Women who Smoke Cigarettes
Open Access
- Author:
- Dyer, Walter
- Graduate Program:
- Psychology (MS)
- Degree:
- Master of Science
- Document Type:
- Master Thesis
- Date of Defense:
- March 28, 2022
- Committee Members:
- Stephen Jeffrey Wilson, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Rina Das Eiden, Committee Member
Kristin Buss (She/Her), Program Head/Chair
Jose Angel Soto, Committee Member - Keywords:
- Cigarettes
Sex Differences
Oral Contraceptives
Cigarette Dependence
Ovarian Hormones - Abstract:
- Significance: Recent work indicates that ovarian hormones influence smoking behavior. While more work is needed to better understand the role of hormonal functioning in this context, advancements in neuroendocrinological addiction science may help clinicians create person-specific interventions for smokers, including women who take oral contraceptives (OCs). Prior work suggests the use of OCs significantly increases the rate of nicotine metabolism in women, which is associated with higher rates of cigarette dependence; however, whether OC use is implicated in cigarette dependence remains unclear. The present study investigated whether cigarette dependence differed among females who reported current use of OCs vs. females who did not. Methods: Participants answered questions about demographics, reproductive health (including items assessing use of oral contraceptives), and cigarette use via an online survey. Two subgroups were established: female smokers who reported current OC use (N = 27; M age = 26.9) and female smokers who did not report OC use (N = 60; M age = 29.0). Nicotine dependence was assessed via the Fagerström Test for Cigarette Dependence and compared between subgroups. Results: Nicotine dependence scores were lower among OC users compared to non-users (F(1, 84) = 4.00, p < 0.05). This association became marginally significant when controlling for age and smoking rate (F(1, 81) = 3.50, p = .07). Conclusions: Use of OCs was associated with lower rates of nicotine dependence. With additional validation, these data could inform tobacco cessation strategies considerate of hormonal dynamics specific to women who smoke cigarettes.