Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often seen as a condition that affects men who smoke, but women and people assigned female at birth face higher risk, different symptoms, and later diagnoses. This brief explains what COPD is, why women are affected differently, main risk factors — including non-smoking causes — and how COPD is identified and approached.
Spirometry is the standard breathing test used to diagnose COPD but is often underused for women, leading to missed or late diagnoses.
Risk factors beyond smoking include asthma, childhood respiratory problems, prematurity, AAT (alpha-1 antitrypsin) deficiency, air pollution, secondhand smoke, and workplace exposures.
Risa Kerslake is a registered nurse and freelance writer who lives in the Midwest, specializing in health, parenting and education topics. Her work has appeared in Women's World, Healthline, Parents, Discover, Sleep Foundation and Giddy, among others. She's a professional member of both the American Society of Journalists and Authors and the Association of Health Care Journalists.
One genetic condition that has been linked to your COPD risk is called alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. Just because you have this genetic variant doesn't necessarily mean you'll have AAT deficiency, but it does increase the risk of developing lung conditions like COPD. While smoking is still a main risk factor for COPD — even in women — other factors can increase the risk, including:
COPD is often thought of as a condition men get. Sep 17, 2026 Conditions & Treatments copd Medically Reviewed Español Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has long been thought of as a condition that men have — particularly men who smoke. Right now, you might be picturing an old-time photo of a coal miner or a man in his 70s who's been a lifelong heavy smoker.
Rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are rising among women , with the disease being more common among people who live in rural areas . We spoke with pulmonologist Raymond Wade, M.D. , assistant professor of pulmonary, allergy and critical care medicine at University of Alabama at Birmingham, about the
English Se ha considerado durante mucho tiempo que la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC, por sus siglas en inglés) es un trastorno que desarrollan los hombres, particularmente los que fuman. Actualmente, podrías pensar en una foto vieja de un minero de carbón o un hombre de más de 70 años que fumó mucho tod
+ Flipbook text COPD Caregivers Matter COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a progressive disease of the lungs that causes inflammation in the airways and difficulty breathing. There’s no cure for COPD, but the disease and symptoms can be managed effectively. Caregivers make a huge difference. They: Help wit
English Las tasas de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) están aumentando para las mujeres y esta enfermedad es más frecuente para personas que viven en áreas rurales . Hablamos con el neumólogo Raymond Wade, M.D. , profesor adjunto de neumología, alergología y medicina intensiva de la Universidad de Alab
AstraZeneca says its new drug is the first to help reduce symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD. Two clinical trials showed that the monoclonal antibody known as tozorakimab reduced COPD symptoms by more than 30 percent in current and former smokers. The clinical trial results were just
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