---
title: Does secondhand tobacco smoke exposure affect the menstrual cycle and premenstrual symptoms?
description: Yes. Women exposed to tobacco smoke had significantly more menstrual problems and more severe premenstrual and menstrual symptoms compared to those with no ex
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effects-of-past-environmental-tobacco-smoke-exposure-on-the-menstrual-cycle-and-2021/
---

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- Does secondhand tobacco smoke exposure affect the menstrual cycle and premenstrual symptoms?

Survey study, 2021

# Does secondhand tobacco smoke exposure affect the menstrual cycle and premenstrual symptoms?

Yes. Women exposed to tobacco smoke had significantly more menstrual problems and more severe premenstrual and menstrual symptoms compared to those with no exposure. Past exposure during childhood or adolescence appeared especially harmful.

 Moderate study design

3,935 Japanese women aged 20-44, including nonsmokers, smokers, and those with past secondhand smoke exposure

## What they did

Cross-sectional study in Japan. Researchers analyzed 3,935 women aged 20-44 grouped by smoking status and history of secondhand smoke exposure. Participants completed questionnaires about menstrual cycle abnormalities and menstrual symptoms experienced in the past 3 months using the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire.

## What they found

Current smokers had 1.74 times higher risk of abnormal menstrual cycle compared to women with no tobacco exposure. Women with past secondhand smoke exposure had 1.70 times higher risk. Both current smokers and those with past secondhand exposure reported significantly more severe premenstrual and menstrual symptoms than unexposed women.

## What it means for you

Past and current tobacco exposure is linked to worse menstrual health and more severe symptoms. The study suggests past exposure during childhood or adolescence might harm reproductive health in adulthood. This is observational, so it cannot prove tobacco causes these problems.

3,935

women analyzed

1.74

times higher risk of abnormal cycle (current smokers)

1.70

times higher risk (past secondhand exposure)

## About the study

Original title Effects of past environmental tobacco smoke exposure on the menstrual cycle and menstrual phase-related symptoms: A cross-sectional study Authors Sakai H, Ohashi K Journal The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research Year 2021 Study design Survey study Participants 1,196 What was tested None (observational study examining natural exposure) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/jog.14496](https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.14496)

## Topics

[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

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