The intricate connection between smoking and menopause has had significant repercussions for women in this critical life phase. This connection transcends lifestyle—it is biologically significant to women in their late 40s and beyond.
Studies have shown that smoking can lead to early menopause, more pronounced symptoms, and compromised hormone levels. Smoking also hastens ovarian ageing, possibly concluding reproductive function. Cigarette smoke can disrupt ovarian follicle function and affect hormone activity. Hence, smoking not only accelerates the onset of menopause but also significantly affects its severity and duration.
Understanding the implications of smoking in midlife can help you navigate this critical transition and make better lifestyle choices for your long-term health. As a renowned Gold Coast menopause specialist who has empowered numerous women since 2021, we are committed to this objective.
This blog explains the repercussions of smoking on menopausal women, enabling them to take steps toward a healthier lifestyle and successfully overcome obstacles in midlife and beyond.
Hormonal Imbalances in Menopause Associated with Tobacco Use
Scientific findings have shown that nicotine and tobacco negatively impact menopausal hormone levels. While oestrogen levels usually decrease in midlife, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels increase.
Lower oestrogen levels compel the brain to signal to the pituitary gland to stimulate the ovaries despite compromised follicle levels. Unfortunately, smoking accelerates oestrogen breakdown, reducing the body’s ability to generate oestrogen and contributing to extreme hormonal shifts. For this reason, nicotine and tobacco use can exacerbate menopausal symptoms and compromise quality of life.
Nicotine disrupts the hormonal control system linking the brain, pituitary gland, and ovaries, leading to accelerated shifts in hormonal levels, irregular periods, hot flashes, and mood swings. Scientific evidence has shown that smoking negatively impacts menopause and women’s health in midlife.
If you’ve been experiencing these menopausal symptoms related to smoking, there’s hope. Quitting smoking can ease your hormonal transition, relieve symptoms, and improve your quality of life.
The Link Between Smoking and Early Onset Menopause
Scientific evidence has established strong links between smoking and the early onset of menopause. Middle-aged women who smoke risk experiencing menopause before they turn 45 years old. Although former smokers may also experience early menopause, the chances are lower compared to those who use tobacco and nicotine products.
Cigarette smoke can impair ovarian function and compromise the health of female eggs. Worse, nicotine and toxic chemicals speed up ovarian ageing and compromise reproductive function. Thus, smoking duration and frequency significantly increase the likelihood of early menopause.
For instance, women who smoke up to 10 cigarettes daily into their 40s are more likely to experience early menopause than those who quit before turning 25 years old. If you’re a woman in her 20s who is currently smoking, quitting now can ease your transition into menopause when you enter midlife.
The Link Between Vaping and Menopause
Although vaping’s side effects aren’t as toxic as conventional cigarette smoking, the nicotine content of e-cigarettes can impair hormone function.
Vaping can affect menopause in several ways:
- Earlier menopause: Vaping may deplete ovarian follicles, possibly leading to premature menopause.
- Hormonal imbalance: Nicotine impairs oestrogen production, leading to irregular menstruation and hormonal shifts before and during menopause.
- Depleted ovarian reserves: Scientific evidence suggests vaping diminishes Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) levels, increasing the possibility of lower fertility.
- Long-term health issues: Lower oestrogen levels from vaping increase the likelihood of osteoporosis and cardiovascular issues.
The Link Between Cigar Smoking and Menopause
The tobacco content of cigars has higher nicotine levels than cigarettes. Although research on the link between cigar smoking and menopause has been insufficient, its nicotine content can negatively impact menopause timing.
Cigar smokers usually puff and hold the smoke in their mouths before exhaling it. Although they don’t inhale the smoke as deeply as cigarette smokers, their bodies still absorb nicotine and other substances that alter hormone production. In fact, frequent cigar smoking can lead to early menopause and produce heavy symptoms.
Whether you smoke cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or cigars, you are consuming nicotine, which can adversely affect hormone levels and menopausal changes.
The Impact of Smoking on Menopausal Symptoms
Women who smoke or vape often have more severe menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats. Scientific studies have supported the link between hot flash frequency and severity among nicotine users.
Nicotine interferes with the hypothalamus’ signalling pathways, making the body more sensitive to temperature changes manifested as hot flashes or night sweats. This substance also adversely affects sleep quality, causes intense mood swings, and issues with coping with stress. Although nicotine may feel soothing at first, its dopamine-fluctuating properties can increase anxiety over time. The sudden drop in dopamine levels triggers the brain’s stress response defence, raising cortisol (the stress hormone) and making people more anxious. Nicotine’s ability to increase temperature sensitivity, anxiety, and hormonal fluctuations is a major factor in elevated menopausal symptoms.
Reasons to Quit Smoking During Menopause
Studies suggest smoking has detrimental effects on menopausal health. If you’re a middle-aged woman who uses nicotine, quitting can benefit your long-term health in several ways:
- Stable oestrogen levels: Smoking negatively impacts oestrogen levels during menopause. Nicotine also has adverse effects on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which can prolong severe menopausal symptoms.
- Skin health: Lower oestrogen levels due to smoking can make your skin dry, less elastic, and susceptible to damage. Moreover, smoking accelerates skin aging, leading to sagging, wrinkles, and facial lines.
- Bone function: Studies have shown that smoking can lower oestrogen levels and lead to osteoporosis in middle age and beyond. Weaker bones may impair your daily activities and ability to exercise.
- Abdominal fat: Smokers often have less muscle tone than non-smokers. Hence, they can develop more abdominal fat during menopause.
- Hot flashes: Hot flashes are one of the most common and annoying manifestations of menopause. Scientific evidence suggests smoking worsens the frequency and severity of hot flashes.
- Miscellaneous health issues: If you smoke, the likelihood of developing long-term health issues increases. These include cardiovascular disease, pelvic organ prolapse, dry eyes, gingivitis, cancer, and sleep apnea.
Menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, mood swings, depression, weight gain, and night sweats, are already challenging. Dealing with other smoking-related health issues exacerbates the situation and compromises long-term quality of life,
Conclusion
Health experts have always warned the public about the dangers of nicotine use and smoking. This habit has shown to negatively impact hormone levels and worsen menopausal symptoms, such as impaired sleep quality, hot flashes, mood swings, and night sweats. Whether smoking cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or cigars, quitting can help prevent these symptoms and potential long-term issues, leading to peace of mind and a better quality of life.
You can achieve optimal health in midlife and beyond with Her Medical. We’re a trusted team of general practitioners and an online doctor for women’s health that has empowered numerous patients on the Gold Coast and nearby areas with cost-effective solutions since 2921.
Book your appointment today to receive a personalised quotation and experience premium health solutions that deliver guaranteed results.