Abstract

This chapter reviews studies of sex differences in drug abuse. There is increasing preclinical and clinical evidence that gonadal hormones play a role in the subjective effects, reinforcing effects, and other effects of abused drugs. Despite this growing evidence, most studies that include women ignore the menstrual cycle. Until more studies are conducted to provide sufficient evidence that the subjective effects of a particular drug do not vary across the menstrual cycle, studies comparing males and females need to control for menstrual cycle phase in a systematic fashion.