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Smoking increased risk for early natural menopause
Sun L. Menopause. 2012;19:126-132.
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Smoking was a significant independent risk factor for early natural menopause, according to data from a meta-analysis conducted by researchers in China.
“Although many studies have suggested an association between smoking and early age at natural menopause, evidence remains conflicting because some studies reported inconsistent or contrasting results,” the researchers wrote.
The meta-analysis included 11 studies from 1977 to 2009, which were identified by searching Medline and Google Scholar for the terms “menopause” and “smoking/cigarette/tobacco.”
They found that smoking was significantly associated with early age at natural menopause in dichotomous and continuous studies (OR=0.74; 95% CI, 0.60-0.91). The pooled effect estimated by weighted mean difference was –1.12 (95% CI, –1.8 to –0.44).
After adjustment for heterogeneity, smoking was significantly associated with early age at natural menopause in dichotomous and continuous studies (OR=0.67; 95% CI, 0.61-0.73). The pooled effect estimated by weighted mean difference was –0.9 (95% CI, –1.58 to –0.21).
“Because of the inherent limitations and the absence of the standardized definition for smoking, our meta-analysis may not be sufficient to result the existing controversy on the effect of smoking on age at menopause,” the researchers wrote.
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