Smoking and Bio-identical Hormones by: Phil Altman, R.Ph., Compounding Pharmacist

Smoking has an effect on every molecule in your body.  With this said, smoking must effect your hormone levels, which it does. So what are the dangers of smoking and bio-identical hormones?  Smoking lowers the level of estrogen in a woman’s body.  Smoking women  reach menopause earlier than non-smoking women.  Reaching menopause earlier has many hazards, such as osteoporosis.  Smoking also adversely effects the endocrine system.  It alters the hormonal regulation of body weight and the distribution of body fat, and increases the risk of several deadly diseases.  For pre-menopausal and menopausal women if one inhales enough nicotine, it will convert in the body to an anti-estrogen, a catechol estrogen or otherwise known as a xenoestrogen which will make it necessary for your bio-identical doctor to prescribe a higher dose of the bio-identical hormone estrogen to combat menopause symptoms.  We now know that catechol estrogen causes cancer and damages the DNA.  Unfortunately, some women are too embarrassed to tell their doctors that they smoke.  Smoking, even occasionally can have an adverse effect on your hormone replacement therapy. From vanities point of view smoking reduces the absorption of vitamin C, an important antioxidant for the health of your skin.  Vitamin A and also the collagen production is inhibited by nicotine, making your skin lose its elasticity, thus causing wrinkles and giving you an older appearance.

Phil Altman, R.Ph.,   Compounding Pharmacist

Other  related articles:

Nicotine Effects on the Brain

Cigarette Smoking and Effects on Hormone Function in Premenopausal Women.

The Effects of Nicotine on the Metabolic and Hormonal Responses During Acute Cold Exposure

Effect of Progesterone on Smoking Behavior in Male & Female Smokers