This World No Tobacco Day, it’s time to go beyond lungs and talk about wombs. For women battling endometriosis—a painful condition where uterine-like tissue grows outside the uterus—smoking is a hidden enemy.

While nicotine may temporarily reduce period pain, it causes long-term damage by reducing blood flow, increasing inflammation, and worsening hormonal imbalances.

Tobacco’s toxins like cadmium and nicotine mimic oestrogen, disrupting hormonal balance and fueling the growth of endometrial lesions. It also impairs liver detox, leading to oestrogen dominance—a known trigger of endometriosis progression.

Worse, smoking lowers egg quality, ovarian reserve, and IVF success rates by up to 40%. Even secondhand smoke exposure raises lifetime risk. The good news? Quitting smoking helps reduce inflammation, restore hormonal health, and boost fertility.

For those with endometriosis, giving up tobacco may be the most empowering step toward healing and motherhood.