The effects of smoking on the body are known to all but unfortunately, the habit is hard for many people to end. While the toll it takes on men is known, experts highlight that even women are at the receiving end. It is because smoking not only impacts one’s lungs and heart but also their reproductive health.

Smoking can raise one’s risk of pregnancy complications, infertility, and even certain cancers. It is why doctors say it is the need of the hour for women to quit smoking and improve their reproductive health. Quitting smoking can restore hormonal balance, improve ovulation, and increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy. With timely support and awareness, women can take control of their health and safeguard their future.

Tobacco use among women is a form of smoking; smokeless tobacco products like gutkha and khaini, especially in rural areas, are a matter of concern. Moreover, among urban women, the consumption of hookah and even e-cigarettes is surging. Every form of tobacco, whether smoked or chewed, can take a toll on a woman’s reproductive health, increasing the chances of cancer.

Dr Madhulika Singh, senior consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist, Ankura Hospital for Women and Child, Pune, says, “Smoking is a threat to a woman's reproductive health, affecting fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and can also invite cancers. The harmful chemicals in tobacco can damage the reproductive system, leading to long-term health issues. Toxic substances present in tobacco like nicotine, carbon monoxide, tar, formaldehyde, benzene, arsenic, and lead. These chemicals tend to interfere with hormone levels, reduce blood flow to reproductive organs, and damage egg quality, increasing the risk of infertility, pregnancy loss, and developmental issues in babies. Women who smoke can suffer from infertility because of impaired ovarian function and hormonal imbalances. Smoking can lead to complications during pregnancy, such as ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages, and premature births. Various factors, such as stress, societal pressures, contribute to smoking in women. Some women turn to smoking as a coping mechanism for anxiety. Quitting smoking is beneficial for women."