Smoking also affects sexual function. For women, smoking may affect sexual desire, arousal, vaginal lubrication and the ability to reach orgasm. These effects are not always recognised, yet they can have a significant impact on intimate relationships and quality of life.
How does smoking affect female sexual function?
Sexual arousal depends partly on good blood circulation. When a woman becomes sexually aroused, blood flow to the clitoris and surrounding genital tissues increases. This contributes to genital sensitivity, swelling and vaginal lubrication.
Nicotine causes blood vessels to narrow, while the many toxic substances in cigarette smoke damage the blood vessels and interfere with normal circulation. Smoking may therefore reduce blood flow to the genital area, making physical arousal more difficult.
Some women who smoke experience reduced genital sensitivity, difficulties becoming aroused or insufficient vaginal lubrication. This can make sexual intercourse uncomfortable and less enjoyable.
Smoking may also affect sexual desire. Although the relationship between smoking and libido is complex, nicotine dependence, changes in mood, hormonal effects and smoking-related health problems may all contribute to a reduced interest in sex.
Orgasm can also be affected. Because sexual response depends on the interaction between blood circulation, nerve function and genital sensitivity, smoking may make it more difficult for some women to reach orgasm or experience the same level of sexual pleasure.
Not every woman who smokes will experience these problems, and sexual difficulties can have many other causes.
What does scientific research show?
Studies have found an association between smoking and female sexual dysfunction. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2022, involving more than 15,000 women, found that female smokers had approximately 48% higher odds of sexual dysfunction than non-smokers.
Other research has suggested that the risk may increase with the amount and duration of smoking.
Although these findings do not prove that smoking is directly responsible for every sexual difficulty, they provide further evidence that tobacco use can affect women’s sexual health.
Can quitting smoking improve female sexual function?
Quitting smoking may help improve sexual function by allowing blood circulation and cardiovascular health to recover.
Encouragingly, a prospective study examined sexual function in premenopausal women who stopped smoking. After nine months of smoking cessation, the researchers found significant improvements in sexual function: the proportion of women classified as having sexual dysfunction fell from 86% to 35%.
Improvements are not guaranteed, however. Sexual function is influenced by many factors, including age, hormonal changes, menopause, stress, relationship difficulties and certain medications. Some women may notice changes after quitting, while others may not experience a significant difference.
Smoking, hormones, menopause and fertility
Smoking can also affect female reproductive health. Research suggests that women who smoke tend to reach menopause earlier than non-smokers, sometimes by several years.
Smoking is also associated with reduced fertility and other reproductive health problems. Stopping smoking is therefore particularly important for women who are planning a pregnancy or wish to protect their long-term reproductive health.
This matters because declining oestrogen levels during menopause can lead to vaginal dryness, reduced vaginal elasticity and discomfort during sexual intercourse. These changes may affect sexual desire and satisfaction.
Speak to your doctor
If you continue to experience vaginal dryness, pain during sex, reduced sexual desire or difficulties with arousal or orgasm, speak to a healthcare professional. These problems are common and often treatable.
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References
- Salari N, Hasheminezhad R, Abdolmaleki A, Kiaei A, Shohaimi S, Akbari H, Nankali A, Mohammadi M. The effects of smoking on female sexual dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2022 Dec;25(6):1021-1027. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-022-01281-1.
- Harte CB, Meston CM. The inhibitory effects of nicotine on physiological sexual arousal in nonsmoking women: results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. J Sex Med. 2008 May;5(5):1184-1197. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00778.x
- Celikhisar H, Dasdemir Ilkhan G, Irer B. Effects of smoking cessation on sexual functions and health quality of life in premenopausal women: A prospective case – Controlled study. Int J Clin Pract. 2021 Mar;75(3):e13796. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.13796
- Soheila Nazarpour, Masoumeh Simbar, Fahimeh Ramezani Tehrani, Factors affecting sexual function in menopause: A review article, Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Volume 55, Issue 4, 2016, Pages 480-487, ISSN 1028-4559, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjog.2016.06.001.
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