You’ve likely heard numerous times about the harmful effects of smoking on health. Did you know that smoking is linked to dysmenorrhea, meaning severe menstrual pain? Read this article to learn more.

Smoking as a Risk Factor for Dysmenorrhea

A risk factor is an environmental, chemical, psychological, genetic, or physiological element that predisposes a person to develop a condition.

Primary dysmenorrhea refers to the intense, painful cramps originating from the uterus that occur during menstruation, i.e., your period. Unlike secondary dysmenorrhea, which is caused by underlying conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease, primary dysmenorrhea has no pathological cause.

A prospective study involving 9,067 Australian women examined the effects of smoking on dysmenorrhea. The results showed that smokers had a higher risk of experiencing symptoms of dysmenorrhea compared to non-smokers. Women who began smoking before the age of 13 had a 60% higher risk of dysmenorrhea. Furthermore, smokers were more likely to experience high-intensity pain lasting more than two days of their menstrual cycle.

Why Does Smoking Worsen Period Pain?

The studies indicated that both the age at which smoking begins and its combination with menarche (the onset of the first menstrual period) influence the occurrence of dysmenorrhea. But why does this happen?

Women who smoke for more years are exposed to the harmful effects of tobacco for a longer period. For those who began smoking during adolescence, close to the age of menarche, it is hypothesized that smoking before menarche may have a more significant impact on the endocrine system, as many physiological and endocrine changes necessary for maturation occur during this time.

Several theories explain how smoking influences dysmenorrhea:

• Vasoconstriction: Cigarette smoke causes vasoconstriction, which reduces blood flow to the endometrium and may potentially lead to dysmenorrhea.
• Hormonal Regulation: Smoking directly affects endocrine control of menstruation and has been linked to other menstrual issues, such as prolonged periods, which are a risk factor for dysmenorrhea.
• Central Nervous System: Smoking affects the central nervous system, which influences pain perception and intensity. Psychological differences between smokers and non-smokers may also result in varying pain experiences.

Can Cutting Down on Smoking Relieve Period Pain?

Regarding cigarette consumption, a case-control study found that even one cigarette a day can be a risk factor for dysmenorrhea. Another study revealed that women with dysmenorrhea were more likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke. This means even passive smoking worsens period pain.

What Else Can I Do to Alleviate Dysmenorrhea?

There are several factors contributing to dysmenorrhea that we can modify. Besides quitting smoking, paying attention to diet and incorporating exercise into your daily routine can help.

The components of food affect the body in ways that increase or decrease period pain through various mechanisms and pathways (e.g., inflammation, prostaglandins, pain tolerance, hormones). Certain nutrients and foods have been shown to influence primary dysmenorrhea positively or negatively. Learn more about how diet affects dysmenorrhea in the following articles:

5 things about diet and period pain

Two curves to appreciate your curves!

References

Harokopion University, Faculty of Health Sciences and Education, Department of Dietetics-Nutrition, Magdalinou A. "Study of the relationship between dietary habits and primary dysmenorrhea in a sample of young women". [Thesis]. Athens: Harokopion University, 2019.