...
womens health clinic faq

Does smoking make vaginal atrophy worse?

Yes, smoking increases the risk and severity of vaginal atrophy by lowering oestrogen levels and reducing blood supply to vaginal tissues, making symptoms more pronounced and harder to treat.

Clinical Context

We strongly encourage quitting smoking as part of managing atrophy, dryness, and other gynaecological symptoms.

Evidence-Based Approaches

Clinical guidance highlights smoking as a modifiable risk factor for atrophy and poor treatment response. RCOG: Smoking and GSM.