We all know that smoking cigarettes is injurious to health. But did you know that smoking affects women more severely than men?
Women's bodies are biologically different from men's bodies, which makes them more vulnerable to the harmful chemicals present in tobacco. Let's find out how smoking affects women's health more than men's.
1. Heart disease
Smoking is a major cause of heart disease. It hardens and narrows the arteries, which reduces blood flow and makes the heart work harder to pump blood. Estrogen protects the heart in women, but this protection decreases after menopause. In such a situation, the risk of heart disease increases significantly in women who smoke.
2. Lung cancer
Smoking is the biggest cause of lung cancer. It is one of the most common causes of lung cancer in women. Women who smoke have several times higher risk of lung cancer than women who do not smoke.
3. Fertility
Smoking can also affect women's fertility. It can cause irregular menstrual cycles, problems with ovulation, and infertility. Smoking triggers the ovaries to make fewer eggs and also reduces their quality.
4. Problems related to pregnancy
Women who smoke have a higher risk of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and premature birth. Smoking can also have a negative impact on the development of the unborn baby. The baby may have low weight and may have difficulty breathing.
5. Osteoporosis
Smoking weakens bones and increases the risk of osteoporosis. Estrogen plays an important role in maintaining bone density, but estrogen levels decrease after menopause. Smoking further decreases estrogen levels, increasing the risk of osteoporosis in women.
Smoking affects not only physical health but also mental health. Women who smoke have a higher risk of depression and anxiety. It is important to know that it is never too late to quit smoking. The benefits of quitting smoking are visible immediately.