Postmenopausal smoking boosts sex hormone levels
September 1st, 2011 - 6:03 pm ICT by IANSLondon, Sep 1 (IANS) Postmenopausal women who smoke have higher sex hormones levels than their non-smoking peers which are potential risk factors for breast and endometrial cancer, affecting the lining of uterus, as well as type 2 diabetes.
“Tobacco smoke, apart from its direct toxic and carcinogenic effects, may also influence chronic disease risk through hormonal mechanisms,” said Judith Brand, the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reports.
“The good news is that the effect of cigarette smoking appears reversible, as an almost immediate reduction in sex hormone levels was seen in women who quit using cigarettes,” added Brand, University Medical Centre Utrecht in The Netherlands who led the study.
Researchers examined blood samples from 2,030 postmenopausal women aged 55-81 years, according to a statement of University Medical Centre.
Participants were categorised as ‘current,’ ‘former’ or ‘never’ smokers based on their responses to questions regarding cigarette use.
Those who were ‘current’ smokers had higher circulating levels of androgens and estrogens, while ‘former’ smokers who had quit within 1-2 years had sex hormone levels the same as ‘never’ smokers.
“Obviously, quitting smoking has major health benefits such as prevention of cancer, respiratory and heart diseases,” Brand said.
- Caffeine elevates estrogen levels in Asian women - Jan 27, 2012
- Estrogen alone can cut risk of breast cancer - Dec 10, 2010
- Smoking 'ups breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women' - Mar 02, 2011
- Obesity can cause cancer: Experts - Feb 14, 2011
- Coffee may protect against cancer of the uterus - Nov 23, 2011
- Female sex hormone regulates weight - Oct 20, 2011
- Beware! Passive smoking riskier than you think (May 31 is World No Tobacco Day) - May 30, 2012
- 'Silver', 'gold' and 'slim' cigarettes misleading many smokers - Apr 13, 2011
- Menopausal changes increase heart disease risk - Feb 24, 2010
- Hormone changes during menopause 'raise heart disease risk' - Feb 24, 2010
- Multiple childbirth linked to increased risk of 'triple-negative' breast cancer - Feb 25, 2011
- How sex hormones influence right heart function - Oct 20, 2010
- US made ciggies '3 times more cancerous than foreign counterparts' - Jun 03, 2010
- Puffing could expose your kid to leukaemia - Feb 10, 2012
- Like your morning cigarette? You're at greater risk! - Aug 08, 2011
Tags: androgens, blood samples, carcinogenic effects, chronic disease risk, effect of cigarette smoking, endocrinology and metabolism, estrogens, heart diseases, hormonal mechanisms, hormones levels, journal of clinical endocrinology, journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, major health, postmenopausal women, sex hormone levels, sex hormones, study researchers, tobacco smoke, type 2 diabetes, university medical centre