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Case report, 1998

Can birth control pills make premenstrual asthma worse?

Yes, in this case. One woman's asthma got much worse after starting birth control pills and improved when she stopped. We cannot know how often this happens from a single case.

Early or limited evidence One 33-year-old woman with asthma that worsens before her period

What they did

This is a case report of one 33-year-old woman with asthma that worsened before her period.

What they found

Her asthma was stable until she started taking oral contraceptive pills. After starting the pills, her asthma got noticeably worse and her lung function tests showed a decline. No other causes could be found. When she stopped the contraceptives, her asthma returned to its previous state.

What it means for you

Birth control pills may make premenstrual asthma worse in some women, even though they sometimes help asthma. Medical literature contains only two other case reports of asthma worsening from hormones or birth control pills. Based on one case, we cannot say how often this occurs.

33

years old

2

other similar cases reported in medical literature

About the study

Original title
Exacerbation of premenstrual asthma caused by an oral contraceptive
Authors
Derimanov GS, Oppenheimer J
Journal
Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
Year
1998
Study design
Case report
What was tested
Oral contraceptive pills

Topics