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Experts Warn: Smoking Advances Menopause by 1.5-2 Years
🇹🇷 Turkey /Health & Science

Experts Warn: Smoking Advances Menopause by 1.5-2 Years

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Experts warn that smoking can advance menopause by 1.5 to 2 years.
  • Declining fertility rates and reduced ovarian reserves are concerns for women, especially after age 35.
  • Regular gynecological check-ups and prenatal care, including folic acid, are crucial for maternal and infant health.

Experts are highlighting the significant impact of lifestyle choices and biological factors on women's reproductive health, particularly concerning menopause and fertility. Prof. Dr. Yusuf Üstün, a board member of the Turkish German Gynecology Education, Research, and Service Foundation (TAJEV), noted that while early detection can resolve many issues, environmental factors play a crucial role in the timing of menopause.

Smoking brings menopause forward by 1.5 to 2 years.

— Prof. Dr. Yusuf ÜstünHe explained the impact of smoking on women's reproductive health.

Üstün specifically pointed to smoking as a major contributor to early menopause, stating it can bring the onset forward by 1.5 to 2 years. Other factors like radiation exposure and autoimmune problems can also trigger premature menopause. He advised that treatments and lifestyle changes, including vitamin supplements like calcium and D, and managing obesity, can help make the menopausal transition more comfortable.

The expert also addressed declining fertility rates, which he attributes to later marriages and delayed childbirth. "We have scientifically established that ovarian reserves, the store of eggs, decrease after the age of 35," Üstün explained. He stressed the importance of annual gynecological check-ups and emphasized that women should consult a doctor before pregnancy to ensure proper planning and care.

We have scientifically established that ovarian reserves, the store of eggs, decrease after the age of 35.

— Prof. Dr. Yusuf ÜstünHe discussed the decline in fertility rates among women.

"Adequate adherence to follow-ups during pregnancy is one of the biggest problems," Üstün stated, underscoring the necessity of prenatal care. This includes starting folic acid supplements before conception to prevent neural tube defects in the baby and continuing them for the first 12 weeks. Regular monitoring through blood pressure checks and ultrasounds is vital to ensure the baby is developing correctly within the uterus and to detect potential risks like ectopic pregnancies, which can be life-threatening.

Adequate adherence to follow-ups during pregnancy is one of the biggest problems.

— Prof. Dr. Yusuf ÜstünHe highlighted the importance of regular medical check-ups during pregnancy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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