The research, published in the Menopause Journal, which is a collection of data from several previous studies, involving 6,000 women respondents in the United States, Poland, Turkey, and Iran.
Women who do not smoke on average reached menopause between the ages of 46-51 years. While women who smoke, menopaue happen faster between the ages of 43-50 years.
During menopause, the ovaries stop producing eggs. Therefore, menopausal women can no longer conceive. "Our study shows that smoking has a significant relationship with the occurrence of menopause. We recommend that women avoid this habit," said a researcher from the University of Hong Kong.
He and his friends analyze women aged 50 or 51 years who experienced menopause late or early. Of 43,000 respondents, 43% were smokers turns. This shows the number of women experiencing early menopause than non smokers.
According to an expert epidemiologist from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health in New York, said there are two theories as to why smoking can cause early menopause. Smoking has an effect how women's bodies make or rule out the use of estrogen. Some researchers also believe that the components in tobacco smoke can kill the eggs.
Unfortunately, the researchers did not have information on how long the women had smoked and how many cigarettes smoked a day. So the research team could not determine how these factors influence the age of menopause.
