Maybe you’ve heard that smoking causes cancer, lung and heart disease, and stroke. But, did you know that smoking causes other problems for women’s health?
* Decreased bone densityWomen who have gone through menopause and who smoke have lower bone density. This means they have a higher chance of breaking a hip than women who do not smoke.
* Rheumatoid arthritisWomen who smoke are more likely to get rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is an inflammatory, chronic disease. People with RA have swelling and pain in their joints.
* CataractsWomen who smoke are more likely to get cataracts that affect their vision. Cataracts are an eye disease where the lens of the eye is cloudy or foggy.
* Gum diseaseSmoking is linked to gum disease, which may lead to bone and tooth loss.
* UlcersSmokers with gum disease are also more likely to get ulcers in the stomach, which can lead to death.
* SurgerySmokers have worse survival rates after surgery. They’re also more likely to have complications and poorer wound healing than non-smokers.
* DepressionIt is important for women to know about the link between smoking and depression because women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with depression.
* Menstrual problemsSome studies show that women who smoke have more irregular or painful periods.
* MenopauseSmokers are more likely than non-smokers to go through menopause at a younger age, and they may have worse symptoms of menopause.
* PregnancyWomen who smoke may also have a harder time getting pregnant. They also have a higher chance of losing their baby before it is born. Studies show there is an increased risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome, also called "crib death") in babies born to women smokers.