Follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations in relation to active and passive smoking.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between various forms of tobacco exposure and ovarian status, as measured by FSH concentrations, in women 38-49 years old.

METHODS

Two hundred ninety women between 38-49 years old, who had not had hysterectomy or oophorectomy, completed a self-administered questionnaire that included information on tobacco exposure and had serum FSH levels measured on days 2-4 of the menstrual cycle. Linear regression was used to assess the relation between FSH and tobacco exposure.

RESULTS

Controlling for age and other factors, FSH concentrations were 66% higher among current smokers (geometric mean FSH 14.0 mIU/mL) and 39% higher among nonsmokers with passive smoke exposure (11.7 mIU/mL), compared to nonsmoking women without passive smoke exposure (8.4 mIU/mL). The estimated increase in FSH for each year of age was greater for current smokers than for nonsmokers (16 versus 6%, respectively). Ex-smokers did not have higher FSH concentrations, and there was no association between prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke and FSH.

CONCLUSION

Both active and passive smoking are associated with elevated FSH concentrations in women 38-49 years old. The effect, limited to women with current exposure, is consistent with a shorter duration of the menopausal transition period.