Various cancers like cancer of the lungs, mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, kidney, pancreas and bladder and the respiratory diseases affect smoking women and men alike. But women who smoke have an added list of diseases. Post menopausal women and women on birth control pills are highly susceptible to smoking related diseases which can even lead to death. Women are also known to be more susceptible to the addictive nature of nicotine and have a slower metabolic rate which clears the nicotine from their bodies. They are also affected more by the carcinogens in cigarettes than men.
Women who are on oral contraceptives are ten times more prone to heart attacks, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. They are at a higher risk of developing blood clots also. The risk increases with age and women above 45 years of age are at a higher risk.
Smoking women are less fertile. It is estimated that smokers are 3.4 times more likely than non smokers to take longer to conceive.
Women who smoke are also seen to experience irregular periods and greater prevalence of secondary amenorrhea which is the absence of menstruation. They also experience unusual bleeding or vaginal discharge. They reach natural menopause a year or two earlier than non smokers. The ovaries get affected due to the toxic substances present in the smoke and the levels of estrogens are also noted to be lesser in smoker women.
Cigarette smoking is also known to increase osteoporosis which leads to bone fragility. Smoke affects estrogens and hence reduces bone density. This ultimately increases the chances of fracture.
Women are also at a greater risk of developing cancer of the cervix and the vulvar.
Quitting cigarettes is utmost important. The earlier the better.
