DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that smoking could affect everything from your monthly period (for girls) to the ability to get an erection (for guys)?

Sure, everyone knows that smoking is bad for you, but did you know that it could affect everything from your monthly period (for girls) to the ability to get an erection (for guys)?

The truth is that smoking can cause some serious damage to reproductive organs, for both guys and girls. Check it out.

In Women:

Smoking is associated with a variety of menstrual disorders, including prolonged bleeding. Who wants that? And the more you smoke, the bigger the impact it has on your reproductive health (2,3).
Studies suggest that smokers who are on the pill are more likely to have spotting or bleeding between normal menstrual bleeding.
Women smokers who use oral contraceptives risk serious consequences including increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.
Having a baby? Maybe not. Or at least not yet. But if you want to have kids one day, you may want to think twice about smoking. Studies show that women smokers have around 72 percent of the fertility of nonsmokers. And serious problems during pregnancy can affect the health of your baby. Not only are you putting your own health at risk when you smoke, but you might be putting your future baby’s health at risk too.

Beginning to smoke as a teenager increases a woman's risk of early menopause three times. Smokers often notice symptoms of menopause two to three years earlier than nonsmokers.
The kicker? Smoking is associated with increased risk for cervical cancer (6).

In Men:

Smoking can damage the arteries that carry blood to the penis. So what? A man’s erection depends on a healthy blood supply to the penis (7). Ouch.
Smokers are 1.5 times more likely to suffer erectile dysfunction than non-smokers (translation: smokers are 1.5 times more likely to have erection problems than non-smokers) (7). Cold. But true.

Now you know. But do your friends know? Why not help us spread the word

references | updated 10.02.2007

references

Many Women Unaware of Reproductive Health Risks Associated with Smoking. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2001, Vol 184, No 4. Retrieved September 26, 2007 from http://ippfnet.ippf.org/pub/IPPF_News/News_Details.asp?ID=1041
Women and the tobacco epidemic: challenges for the 21st century. 2001. WHO/ NMH/TFI/01.
Lindbohm et al. Effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke on reproductive health. Scand J Work Environ Health, 2002 28(2):84-96.
Current Issues in Smoking and Reproductive Health. Association of Reproduction Health Professionals Clinical Proceedings, October 1996. Retrieved September 26, 2007 from http://www.arhp.org/healthcareproviders/onlinepublications/clinicalproceedings/cpcurrentsmoking/index.cfm?ID=90.
Smoking and Your Reproductive Health. The Contraception Report July 1998. Vol. 9, Issue 3, Retrieved September 26, 07from http://www.contraceptiononline.org/contrareport/article01.cfm?art=128
Women and Smoking, A Report of the Surgeon General-2001. Retrieved September 26, 2007 from http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/sgr/sgr_forwomen/factsheet_consequences.htm
How Smoking can Affect Sexual Health. Tobacco. NSW Health, BHC-3090, May 5,1997. Retrieved September 26, 2007 from http://www.mhcs.health.nsw.gov.au/health-public-affairs/mhcs/publications/3090.html.
Dorey G. Is smoking a cause for erectile dysfunction? A literature review. Br J Nurs, 2001 10(7): 455-65.

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