EBN- Menopause is a natural period that women go through as they age, where the menstrual cycle ends due to a decrease in hormone levels in the body.
However, not all women enter this stage at the same age, as some women experience menopause earlier than others.
This disparity may be linked to a number of health and environmental factors.
A new study of nearly 140,000 British women examined some of the factors that may contribute to women entering menopause earlier than usual, opening the door to further understanding of the effects of different factors on women’s health and hormones.
The study showed that women who smoke regularly are more likely to enter it before the age of 45.
According to the results, women who smoke more than 30 packs of cigarettes per year are 50% more likely to enter early menopause than those who have never smoked.
The study, conducted by scientists from Central South University in China, indicated that stopping smoking may reduce a woman’s chances of entering early menopause by up to a third.
Experts believe that smoking reduces levels of the female hormone estrogen, which leads to menopause. Some have warned that vaping may have a similar effect.
Previous studies have linked smoking to early menopause. In 2015, a British study found that women who smoke enter it a year earlier on average than women who do not smoke.
Other research has also suggested that smoking can make menopausal symptoms more severe, with women who smoke regularly experiencing more severe hot flashes and more night sweats.
Researchers say postmenopausal smokers are also at higher risk of osteoporosis than non-smokers. One study found that smokers were 35 percent more likely to break a hip than those who had never smoked.
The new study is the largest in detail to explore the link between smoking and early menopause.
Although the exact reason why smoking increases the risk of early menopause is still unclear, experts believe that the habit limits the body’s ability to produce estrogen.
