Pulmonologist explains women’s lung health: Understanding the hidden risks and symptoms

Women have smaller lungs, and their airways can respond more robustly to irritants like smoke, pollution and dust (Picture Credit: Unsplash)

Lung health can be especially challenging for women. This means that they are more at risk for respiratory diseases early in life. Acknowledgment of such sex-based differences are crucial to advance the prevention, diagnosis and care for women’s lung health.

Maintaining strong lungs is crucial to overall health, but it is an aspect of our well-being that often goes ignored—especially among women. Though both men and women are afflicted by respiratory diseases, evidence is mounting that women experience them differently. These differences have both biological and environmental roots that determine not only the development of diseases but also their course and treatment.

Women have smaller lungs, and their airways can respond more robustly to irritants like smoke, pollution and dust. Hormonal variations such as menstruation, pregnancy and menopause may also affect lung function and symptom severity. Lifestyle-related factors, such as workplace exposures and even cooking haze can further increase the burden of chronic respiratory disorders in women, more so in developing nations.

It is important to acknowledge these gender-specific differences in lung health,” says Dr. Vikas Mittal, Director – Pulmonologist CK Birla Hospital ®, Delhi. Women with less exposure to risk factors, including smoking, may develop diseases like asthma, COPD or lung cancer at younger ages and with worse symptoms than men. Awareness of these differences can result in earlier diagnosis, better treatment and better outcomes for women’s respiratory health.

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1. Smaller lungs, greater impact

Women's lungs are smaller in terms of physiology compared to men's, so that the same amount of exposure to toxic material or cigarette smoke will be more damaging. That increases the risk of women developing chronic respiratory disease even if they smoke equally or occupy the same environment as men.

2. Hormones affect lung function

Estrogen and progesterone are also of prime importance in the nature of the female lung reaction to disease and to environmental stress. These hormones may potentially control airway reactivity and inflammation in a way to sensitize women to become symptomatic at times of hormonal adjustment like menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause.

3. Increased susceptibility to smoking and atmospheric pollution

Even if the air pollution or smoking is minimized, women have worse symptoms of COPD than men. It has been established by studies that estrogen enhances individuals' vulnerability to tobacco smoke and air pollutants, which are more likely to cause damage to the lung and provoke inflammation.

4. Asthma symptoms change with hormones

Symptoms also change with menstruation and menopause as with changes in hormones. This can enhance airway hyperreactivity, and breathing becomes more challenging at these periods.

5. Symptom patterns

Women who present with lung conditions are typically complaining of breathlessness, fatigue, and anxiety, whereas men tend to complain of cough or tightness in the chest. This difference in presentation will cause a delay in the diagnosis in women since they are then blamed for stress or fatigue instead of a lung problem.

6. Increasing lung cancer in women

Lung cancer, specifically adenocarcinoma, is on the increase in women. It is caused by genetic and hormonal factors, and since symptoms are nonspecific, diagnosis is delayed.

Also read: Asthma and COPD: Daily air pollution hurts women more, pulmonologist warns

Lung health of women needs to be put into the spotlight. Awareness of these gender-specific differences in risk and symptoms can translate into earlier screening, early detection, and better treatment, finally enabling women to breathe a little easier and live a healthier life.

FAQs on lung health of women:

Why are women more vulnerable to lung diseases than men?

Women’s lungs are generally smaller, and hormonal factors (like estrogen) can influence how their lungs respond to toxins, pollution, and smoking — increasing the risk of conditions like COPD and lung cancer.

Can non-smokers develop lung cancer?

Yes. A significant number of women diagnosed with lung cancer are non-smokers. Causes include secondhand smoke, air pollution, radon exposure, and genetic factors.

What are early signs of poor lung health?

Persistent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, unexplained fatigue, and chest pain are warning signs. If symptoms last more than 2–3 weeks, medical evaluation is advised.

How can women improve and maintain lung health?

Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke, exercise regularly, maintain indoor air quality, wear masks in polluted environments, and get regular health checkups.

Are women at higher risk for asthma?
Yes. After puberty, asthma becomes more common in women than men, likely due to hormonal changes and heightened airway sensitivity.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.