How Harmful Can Smoking Be For Women?

The most common age range for women to start smoking is between 25 and 44 years old.
Women who smoke, like men, are at risk of numerous diseases, including respiratory illnesses, shortness of breath, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal cancer, throat cancer, oral cancer, lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

Smoking’s Specific Impact on Women’s Health

It is important to note that smoking has a broader negative impact on women’s physical health. Some of the harms caused by smoking are specific to women.

Some of the health risks from smoking for women include:

• External genital cancer

• Breast cancer

• Cervical cancer due to weakened cervical cells from the chemicals in cigarettes

• Osteoporosis due to the loss of estrogen’s protective effects

• Stroke

• Irregular menstruation and early menopause

• Vaginal infections and discharge

• Abnormal bleeding during menstruation

• Amenorrhea (lack of menstruation)

• Wrinkles due to toxins in the liver and blood

• Increased blood thickness

• Loss of middle skin cell proteins and collagen

• Slight increase in blood pressure

Key Health Risks of Smoking for Women

1. Heart Attack
Nicotine, a toxic substance found in cigarette smoke, enters the bloodstream and deposits on the walls of blood vessels.
Due to the relationship between estrogen levels in women’s blood and the chemicals in cigarettes, the risk of heart disease, particularly heart attacks, increases.
Annually, around 34,000 women die from heart disease caused by smoking.

2. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is an infection in the female reproductive organs that can lead to fertility issues, including pelvic adhesions and ectopic pregnancies.
Smoking women have a 33% higher chance of developing this condition than non-smokers.

3. Infertility
Infertility is a common consequence of smoking, affecting both women and men.
Smoking in women reduces ovarian function, and the egg-laying process is disrupted.
Additionally, chemicals like tobacco in cigarettes alter uterine secretions, making the uterine environment toxic and impeding sperm entry, making pregnancy more difficult for women.
It is important to note that smoking-related toxins can also alter male sperm cells, leading to birth defects, cancer, and miscarriages.

Smoking During Pregnancy

Smoking during pregnancy transmits harmful chemicals like tobacco and nicotine to the fetus through the bloodstream, causing irreplaceable harm to the health of both the mother and the child.
Babies born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy have higher levels of nicotine in their blood. These babies are more likely to face respiratory problems, colds, and ear infections.
Some of the risks associated with smoking during pregnancy include infant death, preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, miscarriage, placenta previa, and low birth weight.

Tips for Women Trying to Quit Smoking

The most important factor in quitting smoking is following a structured plan.
Women who smoke should prepare a lifestyle change plan before beginning the quitting process.
Engaging in activities like intensive and aerobic exercise can help reduce the urge to smoke while improving health and preventing weight gain.
Many smokers have a habit of placing cigarettes in their mouths. To combat this, women trying to quit can substitute cigarettes with raw vegetables like celery and carrots.
Given women’s tendency to have weaker resolve, it’s important to have a support system. Family and friends can help by boosting motivation.
Being aware of the harmful effects of smoking on health also plays a significant role in increasing motivation to quit.
If needed, seeking help from a therapist can assist in the quitting process.

Benefits of Quitting Smoking for Women

• Increased sexual health

• Improved ovulation process

• Faster recovery from infertility

• Reduced risk of heart attack and stroke