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Stopped smoking and peri symptoms shortly after!

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HayleyW75
HayleyW75

So after 23 years of smoking I finally gave up 4 years ago at the age of 38 obviously I went through loads of changes due to many years of the nicotine controlling by body, but I’m now wondering if quitting smoking brought on the menopause? Or was hiding the symptoms? Is there anyone else that quit and then started to have perimenopause symptoms?  Or just a coincidence! 

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • louellen39047
    louellen39047 HayleyW75

    Posted

    Hi Hayley....

    Apparently, nicotine and smoking, LOWER estrogen levels which would take you into an EARLY menopause.  

    The fact that you quit 4 years ago now, even with nicotine replacements, likely has nothing to do now with you going into perimenopause symptoms.  

    I'd say that you are going through "normal" changes at this age and cycling may take up to 10 years to stop with hot flushes etc., going on for possibly longer or shorter amounts of time.  

    From doing some math here (though I am terrible at it), I'd say that you're about 42 years of age or so now, right?  If that is the case, you are right on target to start getting those symptoms.  Most of us start in our early to mid 40's to get hot flushes, emotional stuff and all of the other goodies that come with perimenopause.  

    Have you gone through a full year without a period yet?  If not...you're in peri and it could take another few years before you quit.  

    That said...you can go to a gynaecologist, Naturopathic doc or even your family doctor and get some supplements to help with any discomfort from the symptoms.  It may not cure them all but, you are in a position to get help if you choose.  

    So, yes...I'd say that this is all one huge coincidence and that it's NOT from the smoking cessation or quit smoking aids.  Congratulations by the way, on stopping smoking!  I wish that I could say the same.  smile. 

    • HayleyW75
      HayleyW75 louellen39047

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. Yes I’m 42 and have been having peri symptoms for at least 18 months, but I’m now thinking that when I gave up smoking all of the quitting of smoking symptoms are pretty much the same as peri! 
    • samantha42264
      samantha42264 HayleyW75

      Posted

      I started Peri symptoms at 40, I am now 46 and still experiencing peri symptoms. I quit smoking 2 and a half years ago, thinking it would help relieve the symptoms, after the initial withdrawal syptoms of quitting I think in some small ways it did help....it's hard to say for sure though. I know when I did smoke and felt anxiety I smoked more, which made me feel yucky in the long run...now I do yoga instead of smoking, but I did yoga before quoting.

      Not a true answer to your question, but to me in my mind smoking was a way to cope with some of the syptoms. Maybe you would have had the symptoms anyways, just quiting is rough in its own sense and peri is rough.

  • anetta94863
    anetta94863 HayleyW75

    Posted

    My husband quit smoking and he went into depression period, his libido never came back,and he has changed mentally etc. My most prevalent peri symptom in peri is depression and lack of pleasure, so I guess it is similar to what he is going through.
  • louellen39047
    louellen39047 HayleyW75

    Posted

    Quitting smoking is never an easy thing to do.  And, yes, there are all sorts of side effects of the withdrawal of nicotine that can mimic Perimenopausal symptoms.  It may be that however, 4 years down the road and away from smoking....even with nicotine replacement (UNLESS you are still using them that is) really shouldn't be to blame for the symptoms.  

    Hot flashes/flushes for example can be from anxiety as well or stress.  Racing heart....and the entire gamut of things that can be caused by peri-menopause can be felt by stress and anxiety as well.  It overlaps in symptoms.  

    Ok, let me ask you one simple question here.  

    Have your periods changed in any way from the usual route?  

    If they are longer, shorter, heavier, scantier...spotting in between...anything along those lines...then you *might* be in Peri.  Take a look at your periods and see how they behave.  If they aren't changing, you *may* be in very early peri but, you're certainly of the age to do so.  It can also come in waves.  It can be there for a month to years.  Your periods may not stop for years to come yet.  

    It's just my non-medical, personal opinion but, I'd say that it's not to do with quitting smoking UNLESS you are still very anxious or your life is filled with stress.  

    Why not get a blood test as a "ball park" idea of where you are?  Try FSH, LH and Estradiol.  Your PCP/Family GP should be able to do that for you easily on your next blood test.  Also, check your thyroid!  It can present with the same type of symptoms as Perimenopause and Menopause as well if it's not 100%.  There's an easy fix for that in taking supplements prescribed by your doc but, that's only IF there's an issue with it.  There may not be.  

    I'd look to other sources this far out from quitting than quitting smoking as the cause.  

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