Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use across the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive regimen: A proof-of-concept intensive longitudinal study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: Exogenous and endogenous ovarian hormones (e.g., estradiol, progesterone) may influence nicotine use. Prior research has focused on combustible cigarettes and yielded mixed results, which may be due to a lack of granular assessment of nicotine use across the menstrual cycle or oral contraceptive (OC) regimen. We conducted a small proof-of-concept study on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS). Our goals were to examine the utility of intensive longitudinal methods to assess ENDS use in a ~month long protocol, and explore ENDS use levels and variability among naturally cycling (NC) individuals and those using OCs. Methods: =21). ENDS occasions were assessed 4 times a day across the protocol. Results: =2.9). Time-Varying Effect Modeling (TVEM) examine changes in links between variables over time. TVEM revealed increases in ENDS use coinciding with rises in estradiol across the menstrual cycle. In contrast, ENDS use was consistent in the OC group. Conclusions: Preliminary evidence indicates that ENDS use among NC individuals varies as a function of natural fluctuations in ovarian hormones while OCs appear to lower and stabilize ENDS use. Despite the small sample, this study suggests that intensive longitudinal methods are useful for examining links between the menstrual cycle, OCs, and ENDS use. This proof-of-concept research may galvanize mechanistic and intervention research on ovarian hormones and ENDS use.
Institutions: Brown University, Miriam Hospital, University of Arizona
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,120
Awards: G200910566, G2700852710, G4429476466, G6267131264, G7021782517, G77252899, G7932250075, Stress Response, Cognitive Control & "Real Time" Rumination: Shared Mechanisms Underlying Substance Use and Depression, G87750021, COBRE for Stress, Trauma and Resilience (STAR), Enriching the Rhode Island Child Health Study
OpenAlex ID: W4411260629