It's well known that smoking is a very bad idea for everyone. However, there are some side effects, such as early menopause, that particularly concern women.
Smoking harms your fertility
Smoking affects almost every stage of conception. Women who smoke are statistically more likely to not ovulate, and a fertilized egg from a smoker is more likely to fail to implant in the uterus. Women who smoke and are undergoing IVF also have a lower chance of having a successful pregnancy. Research shows that nicotine interferes with the function of the fallopian tubes and can prevent an egg from traveling to the uterus, which can lead to an ectopic or tubal pregnancy.
Smoking increases the risk of cervical cancer
Not only can smoking cause a multitude of cancers in both men and women, but according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), it puts women at a higher risk of cervical cancer . Studies show that women who smoke during pre-menopause are six times more likely to develop colon cancer than those who don't.
Smoking worsens periods
According to ACOG, women who smoke experience more severe premenstrual symptoms and have a 50% increase in pain lasting two or more days.
Smoking harms the baby in the womb
Doctors say that when a woman smokes during pregnancy, she indirectly poisons the fetus. Carbon monoxide has a greater affinity for fetal tissue than for adult tissue, and when nicotine crosses the placenta, the baby's heart rate increases. According to ACOG, smoking increases the chances of several serious complications, including placental abruption (when the placenta separates from the uterine wall), placenta previa (when the placenta covers the opening of the uterus), and stillbirth. Many studies have shown that maternal smoking is the single most preventable cause of low birth weight . A smoker's breast milk can pass nicotine to her baby.
Smoking ages you.
You may have noticed that smokers develop wrinkles earlier than non-smokers. What often goes unnoticed is that smoking accelerates menopause by one to two years. Nicotine interferes with the blood supply to the ovaries, and reduced blood supply to any organ causes problems with its function. Many studies have shown that smoking significantly reduces bone density, so cigarettes can also lead to early osteoporosis.
Smoking harms your heart
Research shows that estrogen - the production of which is inhibited by smoking - helps protect women from heart disease. Thus, a woman who smokes is two to six times more likely to have a heart attack. One to four cigarettes a day is enough to double the risk of heart disease.
Finally, remember that your behavior sets an example for your daughter or any girl in your life. Break this harmful habit today!
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