Relapse levels and a decrease in estradiol levels during the luteal phase. Anxiety, irritability, and depression, three symptoms of both withdrawal and the human menstrual cycle, are most severe in the luteal phase. Symptoms of withdrawal not associated with the cycle, such as hunger, are also enhanced during the luteal phase, which suggests the role of estradiol and progesterone in enhancing symptoms above the naturally occurring level of the menstrual cycle. The symptoms of craving also increase during the luteal phase in humans (it is important to note that the opposite result occurs in female subjects with cocaine addiction suggesting that
Menstrual disorder Menstrual disorder A menstrual disorder is an abnormal condition in a woman's menstrual cycle. Disorders of ovulation include oligoovulation and anovulation: "Polymenorrhea" is the medical term for cycles with intervals of 21 days or fewer. "Irregular menstruation" is where there is variation in menstrual cycle length of more than approximately eight days for a woman. The term "metrorrhagia" is often used for irregular menstruation that occurs between the expected menstrual periods. "Oligomenorrhea" is the medical term for infrequent, often light menstrual periods (intervals exceeding 35 days). "Amenorrhea" is the absence of a menstrual period in a woman of reproductive age.