New Study Takes A Look At Cigarette Smoking, Passive Smoke And Fertility, Menopause

KYW Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) –  We know that cigarette smoking and passive smoke can have many negative impacts on the body, but a new study from the University of Buffalo takes a look at something that most scientists would not even think about: women who smoke cigarettes or have had high exposure to secondhand smoke, have a greater risk of infertility.

In addition to that, they are more likely to go through menopause before age 50. The information is based on the Women's Health Initiative and found that smokers reached menopause about 22 months earlier than women who'd never smoked and hadn't been exposed to second hand smoke.

The scientists are not sure why, but they say it is one more reason to not smoke and to avoid second hand smoke.