Other researchers suggest that these food cravings are regulated by hormones. Scientists have observed that women tend to eat more when estrogen levels are low and progesterone levels are high – as occurs during the luteal phase. The reverse pattern is seen in rats during the follicular phase, when estrogen levels are high and progesterone levels are low. The fact that progesterone-only forms of contraception like Depo Provera are associated with weight gain, likely due to increased appetite, supports this theory as well.
Watafiti wengine wanapendekeza kwamba matamanio haya ya chakula yanadhibitiwa na homoni. Wanasayansi wameona kwamba wanawake huwa na tabia ya kula zaidi wakati viwango vya estrojeni viko chini na viwango vya progesterone ni vya juu - kama inavyotokea wakati wa awamu ya luteal. Mpangilio wa kinyume unaonekana katika panya wakati wa awamu ya follicular, wakati viwango vya estrojeni ni vya juu na viwango vya progesterone ni vya chini. Ukweli kwamba aina za uzazi wa mpango zinazotumia projesteroni pekee kama vile Depo Provera zinahusishwa na ongezeko la uzito, huenda kutokana na kuongezeka kwa hamu ya kula, unaunga mkono nadharia hii pia.