Women’s Wellbeing: 6 Health Risks of Smoking Tobacco

Smoking poses many risks for anyone, but there are some adverse effects that are unique to women. From ectopic pregnancy to premature menopause, there are unique effects that are unique to women, which are, needless to say, very dangerous.

If you’re a woman who hasn’t decided to stop smoking, maybe these reasons will  finally motivate you to quit before things turn for the worst:

Risk of Certain Cancers

Not only can smoking pose a risk of particular cancers to both genders, but it can also cause certain cancers unique to women. It’s probably not news to you since it’s a well-known fact, not to mention that the government and man women’s health Blog sites talk about it. Smoking is usually associated with cervical cancer and breast cancer.

It may not seem like it, but smoking heightens the risks of breast cancer and can also complicate the illness if you’re smoking despite it. Usually, the base chance of dying is at least 25%, and it gets higher the more cigarettes you smoke.

And, of course, lung cancer is prevalent in heavy smokers. Although this type of cancer can be present in both genders, women are more at risk for lung cancer, especially when they’re smokers. Not only that, but the average age for women having lung cancer is getting younger, with the newest cases between 30-49 years old.

If you smoke two packs per day, the fatality of breast cancer can go up to 75%. Luckily for you, if you decide to quit immediately, this percentage will significantly go lower until it goes as low as someone who doesn’t smoke.

Infertility

More and more women lately are becoming indifferent about being pregnant due to various reasons, like socioeconomic status and health conditions, to name a few.

At most, a woman can get pregnant in their 30s or even 40s with some complications. However, these complications will worsen if said woman is a smoker. Women who smoke are more prone to decreased ovulatory response, fertilization, and zygote implantation than non-smokers.

Not only that but with smoking, the cervical mucus will be affected, which can give difficulties for the sperm to go through, resulting in difficulty in conceiving. However, it’s not just women who suffer from this. It can also affect their children. Smoking while pregnant often results in defects, miscarriage, and even cancer in their kids.

Premature Menopause

There’s no conclusive evidence yet, but there are some studies implying that smoking can lead to an earlier menopausal stage. Most of the time, the menopausal stage can start between 45 to 55, but with smoking, it can be earlier than that.

Usually, this stage can happen for more or less seven years, but it entirely depends on the woman’s lifestyle. However, if she’s a smoker, this stage can take longer. It’s not yet proven, but some evidence suggests that smoking can cause a lower level of estrogen in women, which contributes to the menopausal stage getting longer. Exploring holistic approaches like the Over 30 Hormone Solution may offer insights into managing hormonal changes effectively during this phase of life.

Placenta Previa

Smoking is also a considerable risk factor for placenta previa. During pregnancy, the placenta usually grows towards the top, leaving the cervix for delivery. However, that isn’t the case when placenta previa occurs.

Placenta previa is a condition where the placenta stays at the lower part of the uterus, partially or covering the cervix fully. This can leave the placenta prone to tearing, leading to severe bleeding and depriving your baby of the vital nutrients and oxygen to grow properly in the womb.

Ectopic Pregnancy

Nicotine found in tobacco can cause contractions in the fallopian tubes, where the embryo passes through. When the fallopian tubes are contracted, there’s a chance that the embryo will implant outside the uterus, either in the abdomen or in the fallopian tubes themselves.

In this situation, the embryo must be surgically removed to avoid life-threatening complications for the mother. It’s a dangerous situation that can be avoided if you stop smoking.

Placental Abruption

The placenta is like the lifeline for the fetus inside the womb. This is because it provides the essential nutrients and oxygen for the baby to grow appropriately inside the woman. However, with smoking, several complications can happen during pregnancy. A good example is a placental abruption.

If you don’t know what it is, placental abruption is when the placenta separates from the uterus during childbirth. Placental abruptions can cause severe bleeding and threaten both lives. Unfortunately, no surgery or treatment can help the doctors reattach the placenta. However, there’s still a chance for a healthy birth through immediate medical attention.

Final Words

Smoking can result in many complications for women, especially during pregnancy and childbirth. However, the unfortunate truth is that there are still literally millions of women, even those in pregnancy, who are still smoking, fully knowing that there will be potential complications during childbirth and with the baby. Thus, pregnant or not, you should stop smoking immediately before it’s too late.