Effects of smoking on women’s health are disastrous. The health risks for a woman increases with the number of cigarettes she smokes. Read on to know how cigarette smoking affects the health of women. All of us have heard the warnings against cigarettes- cigarettes smoking can cause cancer and significantly increase the risk of a person suffering from heart ailments. Despite most cigarette packets carrying a warning against smoking, it is on the rise the world over. Sadly more and more youngsters are getting addicted to smoking. Gone are the days when cigarette smoking was considered to be man thing- an increasing number of women including teenage girls smoke cigarettes today. The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the negative impacts of smoking on women’s health. In addition to all the consequences of smoking which men are exposed to like an increased of risk cancers- lung, mouth, larynx, pharynx, oesophagus, kidney, pancreas, kidney, and bladder and respiratory diseases, women face certainly additional risks which are unique. These include: In this articleSmoking and PregnancySmoking and InfertilitySmoking and Pelvic Inflammatory DiseaseSmoking and Menopause, MenstruationSmoking and OsteoporosisSmoking and CancerConclusion Smoking and Pregnancy Chemicals present in tobacco get passed from pregnant mother’s blood stream to the developing foetus. These toxic chemicals pose serious health risks both to the mother and the unborn child. Research has indicated that smoking during pregnancy increases the chances of preterm delivery, low birth weight, premature rupture of membranes, placenta previa, miscarriage, and neonatal death. Children born to mother smokers suffer more frequently from ear aches, colds, and such other respiratory issues as compared to children of non-smokers. Smoking and Infertility As compared to non smokers fertility rates are much lower in smokers. In addition, they are likely to take much longer to conceive as compared to non smokers. Research has indicated a possible link between smoking and decreased ovulatory response, fertilisation and implantation of the zygote. Certain studies have also indicated that chemicals present in tobacco may alter the cervical fluid and make it toxic to sperm thereby preventing fertilisation and making conception difficult. Smoking and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Statistically smokers are 35% more likely to suffer from PID as compared to non-smokers. PID is a painful disease that requires swift medical intervention. PID is often associated with ectopic pregnancy as well as pelvic adhesions and such other fertility issues. Smoking and Menopause, Menstruation Women who start smoking right from their teens have a greater chance of having an early or premature menopause. Research studies have indicated that smokers often notice symptoms of menopause almost 2 to 3 years earlier than non-smokers. Some of the other complaints of smoking women include menstrual issues like excessive bleeding, amenorrhea or absence of periods, unusual vaginal discharge and vaginal infections. Menstrual abnormalities and early menopause are attributed to toxic effects of tobacco on the ovaries or reduced levels of estrogens as a consequence of smoking. Smoking and Osteoporosis Smoking significantly increases the risk of bone loss and Osteoporosis in women. Statistically loss of bone density is almost 5 to 10 % higher in smoking women as compared to those who do not smoke. It is essential for women smokers to have a bone density scanning done regularly after the age of 40. This scanning is crucial as any change in bone density can be identified in a timely manner and treatment is carried out if Osteoporosis is detected. Smoking and Cancer Smoking increases the risk of cervical cancer in women. It is thought that chemicals found in cervical tissue which are also found in cigarettes may be the culprit. These chemicals may be responsible for weakening the ability of cervical cells to fight off infection and thereby create a breeding ground for cancer causing cervical cells to multiply rapidly. In addition to cervical cancer, smoking also increases the risk of breast cancer in women. The risk of breast cancer is directly proportional to the number of cigarettes a woman smokes in a day.Conclusion: - Smoking damages your health, hurts your loved ones, and reduces the life span significantly. Further it makes your clothes, home and surrounding environment stink. It can ruin your lips and looks. Why do it- just give it up – if not for yourself, consider quitting it for your husband, partner, kids or a friend.
Effects of smoking on women’s health are disastrous. The health risks for a woman increases with the number of cigarettes she smokes. Read on to know how cigarette smoking affects the health of women. All of us have heard the warnings against cigarettes- cigarettes smoking can cause cancer and significantly increase the risk of a person suffering from heart ailments. Despite most cigarette packets carrying a warning against smoking, it is on the rise the world over.
Sadly more and more youngsters are getting addicted to smoking. Gone are the days when cigarette smoking was considered to be man thing- an increasing number of women including teenage girls smoke cigarettes today.
The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the negative impacts of smoking on women’s health. In addition to all the consequences of smoking which men are exposed to like an increased of risk cancers- lung, mouth, larynx, pharynx, oesophagus, kidney, pancreas, kidney, and bladder and respiratory diseases, women face certainly additional risks which are unique. These include:
Smoking and Pregnancy
Chemicals present in tobacco get passed from pregnant mother’s blood stream to the developing foetus. These toxic chemicals pose serious health risks both to the mother and the unborn child. Research has indicated that smoking during pregnancy increases the chances of preterm delivery, low birth weight, premature rupture of membranes, placenta previa, miscarriage, and neonatal death. Children born to mother smokers suffer more frequently from ear aches, colds, and such other respiratory issues as compared to children of non-smokers.
Smoking and Infertility
As compared to non smokers fertility rates are much lower in smokers. In addition, they are likely to take much longer to conceive as compared to non smokers. Research has indicated a possible link between smoking and decreased ovulatory response, fertilisation and implantation of the zygote. Certain studies have also indicated that chemicals present in tobacco may alter the cervical fluid and make it toxic to sperm thereby preventing fertilisation and making conception difficult.
Smoking and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Statistically smokers are 35% more likely to suffer from PID as compared to non-smokers. PID is a painful disease that requires swift medical intervention. PID is often associated with ectopic pregnancy as well as pelvic adhesions and such other fertility issues.
Smoking and Menopause, Menstruation
Women who start smoking right from their teens have a greater chance of having an early or premature menopause. Research studies have indicated that smokers often notice symptoms of menopause almost 2 to 3 years earlier than non-smokers.
Some of the other complaints of smoking women include menstrual issues like excessive bleeding, amenorrhea or absence of periods, unusual vaginal discharge and vaginal infections. Menstrual abnormalities and early menopause are attributed to toxic effects of tobacco on the ovaries or reduced levels of estrogens as a consequence of smoking.
Smoking and Osteoporosis
Smoking significantly increases the risk of bone loss and Osteoporosis in women. Statistically loss of bone density is almost 5 to 10 % higher in smoking women as compared to those who do not smoke. It is essential for women smokers to have a bone density scanning done regularly after the age of 40. This scanning is crucial as any change in bone density can be identified in a timely manner and treatment is carried out if Osteoporosis is detected.
Smoking and Cancer
Smoking increases the risk of cervical cancer in women. It is thought that chemicals found in cervical tissue which are also found in cigarettes may be the culprit. These chemicals may be responsible for weakening the ability of cervical cells to fight off infection and thereby create a breeding ground for cancer causing cervical cells to multiply rapidly. In addition to cervical cancer, smoking also increases the risk of breast cancer in women. The risk of breast cancer is directly proportional to the number of cigarettes a woman smokes in a day.
Conclusion: -
Smoking damages your health, hurts your loved ones, and reduces the life span significantly. Further it makes your clothes, home and surrounding environment stink. It can ruin your lips and looks. Why do it- just give it up – if not for yourself, consider quitting it for your husband, partner, kids or a friend.
