Smoking and Alcohol

Alcohol

Alcohol consumption or use can be linked to the earlier start of natural menopause.

That said, some studies have found that it may also be linked with delayed or later onset of menopause. Alcohol consumption, particularly low and moderate alcohol use, might be linked with later onset or start of menopause; however, the extent of this association is low and requires more research.

Research has also found that menopause transition and its related symptoms may lead to changes in behaviours. As it concerns alcohol use, this may take the form of going from not drinking excessively to drinking excessively during menopause. While these studies are limited and have not included data and study participants from countries like ours, it is important that South African women are aware of this.

It is important that perimenopausal and menopausal women reduce alcohol consumption, given the links to cardiovascular disease, cancer and weight gain.

Smoking

It is widely accepted that smoking cessation (in other words, when a person stops smoking) is important for general quality of life, reducing long term health risks and better health outcomes.

Whether a woman smokes or not has also been shown to influence the start or timing of natural menopause, as well as how severe menopausal symptoms may be.

Studies have been found that earlier menopause and more severe perimenopause-menopause symptoms are linked or associated with how long a woman smokes. That is, earlier onset menopause and more severe perimenopause-menopause seems to be associated with women who have been smoking for a longer duration.

In particular, more severe hot flushes, night sweats and sleep difficulties, as menopause and perimenopause symptoms, are linked with smoking.

It has been shown that non-smokers have significantly better vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes and night sweats) than smokers.

The research-backed recommendations of the International Menopause Society, strongly advocate that women in midlife be encouraged to quit smoking.

My Menopause SA

Evidence-based menopause information for South African women.

Page last reviewed: 1 March 2026
Next review due: 1 March 2027

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