Smoking and cysts of the ovary

Endocrinologic and epidemiologic data indicate that cigarette smoking is antiestrogenic. We found that cigarette smoking is significantly associated with the occurrence of cysts of the ovary among 5,398 college alumnae ranging in age from 21 to 80 years. Data on ovarian cysts were obtained in response to the question: "Did you ever have ovarian cysts? If yes, age occurred and treatment." The prevalence (lifetime occurrence) of cysts of the ovary in the entire sample is 10.2%. Never smokers had a lower lifetime occurrence of ovarian cysts in every age decade than did former smokers or current smokers. The age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) for ever smokers compared to never smokers is 1.5 with 95% CL (1.2, 1.8), P less than .001. For former smokers compared to never smokers, the OR is 1.5, 95% CL (1.2, 1.9); for current vs. never smokers, the OR is 1.4, 95% CL (1.1, 1.8). Smoking was also associated with the earlier occurrence of cysts of the ovary. The 2,622 former college athletes in the sample were at significantly lower risk of ovarian cysts than were the 2,776 nonathletes; OR = 0.8, 95% CL (0.6, 0.9). Young women need to be made aware of the possible adverse effect of cigarette smoking on the ovary.