Kicking the smoking habit is harder for women
Ask a group of former smokers and they will tell you quitting is hard. In fact, in any given year, as many as 50% of smokers will try to quit and fewer than 10% will be successful. The World Health Organization created World No Tobacco Day (observed May 31) to bring to the forefront the health impact of tobacco use, but the smoking habit remains difficult to kick.
And as discouraging as these statistics may be, quitting smoking is even harder for women. This is because many of the available quitting aids are geared to helping with the chemical cravings nicotine causes and women are less sensitive to these triggers. Studies show that women more often smoke for emotional reasons, so even when nicotine withdrawal symptoms begin to abate, women often still experience triggers related to stress, anxiety, and fear of weight gain.
For women determined to quit smoking, experts suggest techniques that focus on habits and behaviors to achieve the most success. That means changing a routine that would typically involve smoking, building in as many distractions as possible.
Consider the following:
- If you smoke with your morning coffee, change your beverage, or take a shower first and drink your coffee later.
- Instead of an after meal or after work smoke, start an exercise routine or take a daily walk at that time.
- Break the habit of smoking while at your desk or on your laptop by moving or rearranging your desk or office space.
- If smoking before going to sleep at night is a habit, keep a book nearby to close your day.
- Have several distractions on hand to deal with a craving, such as chewing gum, a stress ball, or deep breathing exercises.
For women, targeting new diet and exercise habits go far in combating that fear of weight gain as well as providing alternative routines to smoking. Experts emphasize that women need to prepare mentally for the extra pounds that often show up after quitting in order to work through that emotional trigger. Many women also have greater success when working with a support group.
Quitting smoking is worth the effort
The great news for all smokers attempting to quit is that several positive changes in your health are evident soon after setting aside cigarettes. Most former smokers report in the first couple weeks they cough less, find breathing easier, and have more energy. Doctors report improved heart rate and blood pressure and stronger immune systems as patients stay away from tobacco. Women also report that within the first couple weeks their skin looks healthier.
Other key positives for women smokers are reduced risk of issues with fertility and pregnancy and less risk of women’s cancers.
- More stable estrogen levels mean better mood and healthier skin and hair.
- Non-smoking women have fewer problems getting pregnant and reduced risk of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and placenta previa.
- Pregnant women who do not smoke have less risk of miscarriage, low birth weight babies, and babies dying of SIDS.
- Women who quit smoking successfully will within 5 years have the same risk of cervical cancer as they would have if they never smoked.
Because women often smoke for emotional reasons, they frequently are more impacted by the emotional benefits of quitting. Women who have successfully quit say these benefits were helpful in achieving their goal.
- Fresh smelling hair, clothing, home, and car
- Increased energy to play with and support their kids
- Accolades from family and friends
- Feeling in control and empowered
At Stark Women’s Center, our team is available to help you develop a plan to improve your health. If you are trying to quit smoking or concerned about health issues that are holding you back from the things you would like to do, contact our office today.
Tips that might help you quit:
- Within six hours your heart rate will slow and your blood pressure will become more stable.
- Within one day your bloodstream will be almost nicotine free, the level of carbon monoxide in your blood will have dropped, and oxygen will be reaching your heart and muscles more easily.
- Within one week your sense of taste and smell may have improved.
- Within three months you will be coughing and wheezing less, your immune function and circulation to your hands and feet will be improving, and your lungs will be getting better at removing mucus, tar and dust.
- Within six months your stress levels are likely to have dropped, and you are less likely to be coughing up phlegm.
- After one year your lungs will be healthier and breathing will be easier than if you’d kept smoking.
- Within two to five years your risk of heart disease will have dropped significantly (and will continue to do so over time).
- Within five years, a woman’s risk of cervical cancer will be the same as if she had never smoked.
- After 10 to 15 years your risk of lung cancer will be half that of someone of a similar age who keeps smoking.
- After 20 years your risk of heart attack and stroke will be similar to that of someone who has never smoked.