4 Effects of Smoking to Menopausal Women

There are several reasons why women smoke, however there are more reasons why they need to stop smoking. Cigarette smoking has greater impact on women’s health compare to their male counterparts. Aside from its effect on their overall health and fertility, women who smoke also face greater consequence from the onset of their menopausal until their post menopausal stage.

Nicotine and other harmful chemicals found in tobacco smoke can influence the timing and the onset of your menopause, the impact of the symptoms, and the frequency of osteoporosis or bone damage after menopause. It is essential that you recognize these risks and give up the habit the earliest possible time.

Below are the 4 effects of smoking to women suffering from menopausal symptoms:

Earlier Onset of Menopausal

Menopause starts when your ovaries stopped producing estrogen. When this happens, your genes are activated and it marks the onset of your menopause. Studies revealed that the chemicals found in cigarette smoke set off these genetic components in your body which results to a process where ovarian cells are destroyed.

Studies further revealed that women who consume ten or more cigarettes each day have 40 percent chance of experiencing one to two years earlier menopausal compared to non-smokers. Early onset of menopausal also increases the risks of strokes, heart disease, and osteoporosis.

 More Hot Flashes

Hot flash is a passing sensation of heat that is usually coupled with redness on the face and sweating. However, more studies are needed to determine the real cause of hot flashes. Experts suggest that hot flashes are due to the changes in your circulation.

One thing is certain, smokers experience more hot flashes than non-smokers. Smokers are more likely to experience twice the hot flashes compared to women who don’t smoke.

 It’s Harder to Sleep

Difficulty in sleeping or staying asleep at night is a normal symptom of menopausal. Lots of women find it hard to sleep during their menopausal stage and in worst cases they fall prey to insomnia. However, smoking aggravates this condition. Nicotine is a known stimulant. When you smoke, your heart beats faster and you feel more active. However, nicotine may have an adverse effect to the hormonal changes happening in your body which worsen your sleeping disorder.

 Higher Risks of Osteoporosis

Women who smoke are 35 percent at risk of suffering from hip fracture after their menopausal as compared to those who don’t smoke. If you gave up smoking a few years before menopausal, you’re 15 percent at risk. The longer you smoke, the higher the risk of hip fracture. Studies revealed that for every 5 years of smoking the risk increases by 6 percent. It was also found that continued smoking after menopausal gives greater risks compared to smoking before menopausal begins.

However, if you’re smoking now and decides to give up the habit, for the next 15 years, the possibility of hip fracture stops. For every 5 years without smoking, the risk drops by 2 percent. So it’s never too late for you to lessen the impact of smoking on your health. You may want to quit smoking NOW.

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

Related Posts

ADHD IS REAL

“…what does it mean? what is it exactly? Is it real? … like if someone has ADHD is not like you have herpes, like you