What is the effect of smoking on menopause?

What is the effect of smoking on menopause?

• A. Smoking is associated with later menopause onset
• B. Smoking has no effect on menopause timing
• C. Smoking is associated with earlier menopause onset
• D. Smoking stops menopause altogether

Answer: (C)

Smoking accelerates ovarian aging, causing menopause to start earlier. Studies show that women who smoke reach menopause sooner than non-smokers, often by about one to two years, and the effect grows with greater tobacco exposure. The underlying reason is that cigarette toxins damage ovarian follicles and speed up their loss, reducing the ovarian reserve and advancing the timing of ovarian failure. In contrast, the idea that smoking delays menopause, has no effect, or stops menopause is not supported by evidence.

Smoking accelerates ovarian aging, causing menopause to start earlier. Studies show that women who smoke reach menopause sooner than non-smokers, often by about one to two years, and the effect grows with greater tobacco exposure. The underlying reason is that cigarette toxins damage ovarian follicles and speed up their loss, reducing the ovarian reserve and advancing the timing of ovarian failure. In contrast, the idea that smoking delays menopause, has no effect, or stops menopause is not supported by evidence.