a woman in a black hat looking at the camera with a smile

Quitting tobacco is one of the most powerful ways to improve your health and wellbeing. But the journey may bring unique challenges.

For many women, tobacco use can be affected by stress, hormonal changes, caregiving demands, social pressures, and challenges with mental wellbeing such as anxiety or depression. 

While it may feel hard at times, quitting is possible with the right support that recognizes your individual experience and circumstances.

How tobacco use affects women’s health

Tobacco smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, with well-studied health risks for nearly every part of the body. Tobacco products also affect hormonal balance and reproductive functions, bringing specific health risks to women:

triggers

Tobacco use can affect your period. Smoking can worsen period pain and discomfort, including higher risk of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).1,2 Women who regularly smoke also have a higher risk of irregular cycles.3,4

heart_attack_risk_half_1

Women who smoke are more likely to develop heart disease and heart attack compared to men who smoke.5,6 Women who take estrogen-containing birth control pills also have higher risks of high blood pressure, blood clots, and stroke, especially if they are over age 35 or have family history of heart disease.7,8

Emerging research suggests smoking may contribute to endometriosis, adenomyosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).9,10,11

Smoking lowers fertility and increases the risk of pregnancy complications. Smoking affects egg quality and the hormones needed for a healthy pregnancy. Quitting tobacco supports your baby’s healthy development and reduces the risk of birth complications such as abnormal bleeding, miscarriage, preterm delivery, and stillbirth.

If you are trying to get pregnant, experiencing infertility , or are currently going through pregnancy, quitting or cutting back on tobacco and nicotine will bring significant health benefits for you and your baby's health. Learn more about Pregnancy and Quitting Tobacco here.

staying_quit_longterm

Tobacco use is linked with early menopause. Research shows that women who smoke reach menopause about 1 to 2 years earlier than those who do not smoke.12,13 Smoking is also linked to more frequent and intense menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats.14

lack_support

Smoking weakens your bones. Smoking can double the odds of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women, increasing the risk of fractures.15

quitting_1

Smoking increases the risk of female reproductive cancers including cervical and ovarian cancers16,17 as well as other types such as lung, bladder, stomach, and more. 

What about vaping?

Vaping products contain nicotine, flavourings, and toxic chemicals such as heavy metals that are not safe to inhale. We are still learning about long-term consequences, but research shows that vaping can damage the heart, lungs, brain, and more.

Learn more about vaping here

Common concerns about quitting

When you quit or reduce tobacco use, you are saying yes to:

deep_breath

A healthier body and mind

Easier periods and menopause

confidence

Stronger bones

Better fertility and a healthier pregnancy

money_saved

More money in your pocket

More time and energy for the people you love

two older adult women smiling at each other

How we can support you

Are you ready?

Getting started can feel overwhelming, especially alongside work, caregiving responsibilities, mental load, and everything else in life. We are here to help you build a tailored Quit Plan that considers your motivations, triggers, and challenges. Our expert Quit Coaches can provide you with one-on-one personalized guidance to quit or reduce at a pace that works for you.

talking_on_phone
Call a Quit Coach for one-on-one guidance
live_chat
Chat live with a Quit Coach for easy support
Get extra motivation with Text & Email Tips

Tip: If you find that your menstrual cycle affects your tobacco use, this is not by chance. Hormonal shifts can certainly impact nicotine use and cravings. Research suggests women tend to use more nicotine during pre-menstrual and menstrual phases.21 Some women may have an easier time quitting when they set their Quit Date to the second half of the menstrual cycle after menstruation and ovulation (luteal phase).22,23 

You are not alone!

Having strong social and community support is a key part of quitting nicotine for many women. We have a supportive online community of peers and expert Quit Coaches who are ready to listen to your experiences, share quit tips and strategies, and celebrate your progress.

video_call
Tune into monthly Group Support Sessions
Join others on the Community Forum

Resources

Women, Nicotine and Tobacco Info Sheet (Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health)
Sex, Gender, and Vaping Info Sheet (Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health)
Liberation! Helping Women Quit Smoking: A Brief Intervention Guide (Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health)
Key Facts About Women and Tobacco Fact Sheet (Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health, International Network of Women Against Tobacco)
Stop Smoking: A Smoking Cessation Resource for Those Who Work with Women (Canadian Public Health Association)
References
  1. Qin, L.-L., Hu, Z., Kaminga, A. C., Luo, B.-A., Xu, H.-L., Feng, X.-L., & Liu, J.-H. (2020). Association between cigarette smoking and the risk of dysmenorrhea: A meta-analysis of observational studies. PLOS ONE, 15(4), e0231201. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231201 
  2. Choi, S. H., & Hamidovic, A. (2020). Association Between Smoking and Premenstrual Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 575526. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.575526 
  3. Sakai, H., & Ohashi, K. (2021). Effects of past environmental tobacco smoke exposure on the menstrual cycle and menstrual phase-related symptoms: A cross-sectional study. The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, 47(1), 243–253. https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.14496
  4. Bae, J., Park, S. & Kwon, JW. Factors associated with menstrual cycle irregularity and menopause. BMC Women's Health 18, 36 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-018-0528-x
  5. Huxley, R. R., & Woodward, M. (2011). Cigarette smoking as a risk factor for coronary heart disease in women compared with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. The Lancet (British Edition), 378(9799), 1297–1305. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60781-2 
  6. Palmer, J, Lloyd, A, Steele, L. et al. Differential Risk of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Male and Female Smokers. Journal of the American College of Cardiology,73(25) 3259–3266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2019.03.525
  7. Allen, A. M., Weinberger, A. H., Wetherill, R. R., Howe, C. L., & McKee, S. A. (2019). Oral Contraceptives and Cigarette Smoking: A Review of the Literature and Future Directions. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 21(5), 592–601. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntx258 
  8. John Hopkins Medicine. (2026). Birth Control and Smoking: Risks to Your Health. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/birth-control-and-smoking-risks-to-your-health
  9. Vallée, A., Feki, A., Josseran, L., & Ayoubi, J. M. (2025). Smoking and endometriosis: A narrative review. Tobacco Induced Diseases, 23, 10.18332/tid/203429. https://doi.org/10.18332/tid/203429
  10. Yan, R., He, D., Xu, W., Yang, F., Zhu, X., & Li, L. (2026). Impact of smoking or second-hand smoke exposure on metabolic and hormonal levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 319, 114973. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2026.114973
  11. Joachim, G. E., Bohnert, K. M., As-Sanie, S., Harris, H. R., & Upson, K. (2023). Cannabis smoking, tobacco cigarette smoking, and adenomyosis risk. Fertility and Sterility, 119(5), 838–846. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.01.035
  12. Whitcomb, B. W., Purdue-Smithe, A. C., Szegda, K. L., Boutot, M. E., Hankinson, S. E., Manson, J. E., Rosner, B., Willett, W. C., Eliassen, A. H., & Bertone-Johnson, E. R. (2018). Cigarette Smoking and Risk of Early Natural Menopause. American Journal of Epidemiology, 187(4), 696–704. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwx292
  13. Health Canada. (2023). Tobacco, Menustruation, and Menopause. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-concerns/tobacco/legislation/tobacco-product-labelling/tobacco-menstruation-menopause.html
  14. Anderson, D. J., Chung, H. F., Seib, C. A., Dobson, A. J., Kuh, D., Brunner, E. J., Crawford, S. L., Avis, N. E., Gold, E. B., Greendale, G. A., Mitchell, E. S., Woods, N. F., Yoshizawa, T., & Mishra, G. D. (2020). Obesity, smoking, and risk of vasomotor menopausal symptoms: a pooled analysis of eight cohort studies. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 222(5), 478.e1–478.e17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2019.10.103
  15. Chen, L., Wang, J., & Wan, D. (2025). Association between secondhand smoke exposure and osteoporosis risk in postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES data. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 45(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/01443615.2025.2482708
  16. Faber, M. T., Kjær, S. K., Dehlendorff, C., Chang-Claude, J., Andersen, K. K., Høgdall, E., Webb, P. M., Jordan, S. J., Australian Cancer Study (Ovarian Cancer), Australian Ovarian Cancer Study Group, Rossing, M. A., Doherty, J. A., Lurie, G., Thompson, P. J., Carney, M. E., Goodman, M. T., Ness, R. B., Modugno, F., Edwards, R. P., Bunker, C. H., … Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium (2013). Cigarette smoking and risk of ovarian cancer: a pooled analysis of 21 case-control studies. Cancer Causes & Control, 24(5), 989–1004. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-013-0174-4 
  17. Malevolti, M. C., Lugo, A., Scala, M., Gallus, S., Gorini, G., Lachi, A., & Carreras, G. (2023). Dose-risk relationships between cigarette smoking and cervical cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Cancer Prevention, 32(2), 171–183. https://doi.org/10.1097/CEJ.0000000000000773
  18. Health Canada. (2025). Smoking and Your Body. 2026 https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-concerns/tobacco/smoking-your-body.html
  19. Iida, H., Yamaguchi, S., Goyagi, T., Sugiyama, Y., Taniguchi, C., Matsubara, T., Yamada, N., Yonekura, H., & Iida, M. (2022). Consensus statement on smoking cessation in patients with pain. Journal of Anesthesia, 36(6), 671–687. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-022-03097-w
  20. Mendrek, A., Dinh-Williams, L., Bourque, J., & Potvin, S. (2014). Sex differences and menstrual cycle phase-dependent modulation of craving for cigarette: An FMRI pilot study. Psychiatry Journal, 2014, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/723632
  21. Joyce, K. M., Good, K. P., Tibbo, P., Brown, J., & Stewart, S. H. (2021). Addictive behaviors across the menstrual cycle: A systematic review. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 24(4), 529–542. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-020-01094-0 
  22. Lynch, W. J., & Sofuoglu, M. (2010). Role of progesterone in nicotine addiction: Evidence from initiation to relapse. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 18(6), 451–461. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021265
  23. Saladin, M. E., McClure, E. A., Baker, N. L., Carpenter, M. J., Ramakrishnan, V., Hartwell, K. J., & Gray, K. M. (2015). Increasing progesterone levels are associated with smoking abstinence among free-cycling women smokers who receive brief pharmacotherapy. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 17(4), 398–406. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntu262
Get Help Now 1-877-455-2233