Does PMS Really Cause Chocolate Cravings? Find Out! by Donna John

Many women may think hormonal changes make us crave chocolate during that time of the month. However, according to a study shared in Susan Albers' book, “50 More Ways to Soothe Yourself Without Food,” 80 percent of menopausal women report chocolate cravings despite no longer having menstrual cycles or significant variability in their hormone levels during the month. 

The theory is that our desire for comfort and our stress about the approaching time of month causes us to turn to a culturally reinforced way of coping. In other words, we expect that chocolate will help, so we begin to crave it!