Prenatal Smoking affects Menopause

Posted by Brenda Lane Jun 26, 2008

While experts have known for many years that smoking causes the adult woman to reach menopause sooner than a non-smoker, new research indicates that the effects of chemicals can also have long-range consequences for the female baby after she is an adult.

Scientists believe that smoking not only interferes with the mother's estrogen production, thereby reducing her production of ovarian follicles, but they could also affect the development of the follicles in utero.

Yet one more reason for why smoking is clearly a substance to be avoided during pregnancy. If you are just finding out that you are pregnant and you are a smoker, please consider quitting now! Or if you live with a smoker, try to reduce your exposure to secondary smoke as much as possible.

Brenda