---
title: Does taking estradiol before your period help premenstrual asthma?
description: No, estradiol 2 mg did not help control asthma symptoms or breathing more than placebo. This was a small study in women whose asthma was already well-controll
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/estradiol-in-premenstrual-asthma-a-double-blind-randomized-placebo-controlled-2003/
---

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- Does taking estradiol before your period help premenstrual asthma?

Randomised trial, 2003

# Does taking estradiol before your period help premenstrual asthma?

No, estradiol 2 mg did not help control asthma symptoms or breathing more than placebo. This was a small study in women whose asthma was already well-controlled.

 Moderate study design

12 women with documented premenstrual asthma (at least 20% worsening of symptoms or breathing during the premenstrual window)

## What they did

12 women with premenstrual asthma took either estradiol 2 mg or placebo from cycle day 23 to 28 (before their period started) in one cycle, then switched to the other treatment the next cycle. Researchers measured breathing tests, asthma symptoms daily, and blood markers of inflammation at three timepoints per cycle.

## What they found

There were no significant differences between the estradiol and placebo cycles in peak flow readings, asthma symptom scores, lung function tests, blood or urine markers of airway inflammation, or quality-of-life scores.

## What it means for you

Estradiol doesn't appear to help women with premenstrual asthma, at least in women whose asthma is already mild and well-controlled. The study was very small, so it may not apply to women with more severe asthma. The placebo effect may be strong in premenstrual asthma.

12

women studied

2 mg

estradiol dose

≥20%

minimum premenstrual asthma worsening

## About the study

Original title Estradiol in premenstrual asthma: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study Authors Ensom MH, Chong G, Zhou D et al. Journal Pharmacotherapy Year 2003 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Estradiol 2 mg taken by mouth from cycle days 23 to 28 Read the paper [doi.org/10.1592/phco.23.5.561.32201](https://doi.org/10.1592/phco.23.5.561.32201)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual exacerbation (PME)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pme/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)

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