New Delhi: Women go through various health problems throughout their lives. Among the major health issues, menopause is defined as the continuous absence or cessation of menstruation periods for 12 months, given that periods were previously regular. It’s a natural physiological process every woman has to go through when she enters the perimenopausal age group. Generally, menopause can occur anywhere between the ages of 41 to 55 years.
Among Indians, according to available research data, the average age at which the majority attain menopause is 46 years. Hence, attaining menopause a few years before the natural menopausal age is considered early menopause, while attaining menopause before 40 years is considered premature menopause.
Does smoking bring menopause earlier than the natural menopausal age?
Dr Pruthviraj MO, Consultant – Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Manipal Hospital, Varthur and Whitefield shared with News9, “Smoking has numerous detrimental effects on the human body, affecting nearly every organ system. It is considered to be the leading risk factor for causing early menopause as well as premature menopause. It causes ovaries to age faster and the reserve of the follicles to deplete faster among women who smoke. Also, smoking has been shown to affect hormone levels, including estrogen, which plays a crucial role in regulating the menstrual cycle and menopause.”
Several studies support this claim. A study published in The Journal of the North American Menopause Society titled ‘Meta-analysis suggests that smoking is associated with an increased risk of early natural menopause’ aimed to assess smoking’s impact on age at natural menopause (ANM). Eleven studies were analysed, revealing a significant association between smoking and early ANM.
Another research article published in 2018, after reviewing 17 existing research from 7 different countries, focused on understanding if the intensity, duration, and age at which smoking was started caused early menopause.
Smoking leads to premature menopause
As per Dr Pruthviraj, “These findings underscore the benefits for women of quitting smoking early to lower their excess risk of earlier menopause. Therefore, if you are a smoker already due to a stressful life, work pressure, or influence from friends, it is not too late to consider reducing and ultimately quitting smoking.”
According to a meta-analysis suggests that smoking is associated with an increased risk of early natural menopause’ aimed to assess smoking’s impact on age at natural menopause Health Conditions Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
