Lab study, 1994
Do receptors that affect breathing change during the menstrual cycle?
Yes, women have more of these receptors in the second half of the cycle when hormone levels are high. This might explain why some women with asthma feel worse before their period.
What they did
They studied 9 women and 9 men as controls. In women, they measured receptors in immune cells at two cycle phases: early cycle (days 2-4) and late cycle (days 21-23). They also measured hormone levels.
What they found
In women during the late cycle, estradiol increased 3.3-fold and progesterone increased 10.6-fold compared to the early cycle. This matched with significant increases in breathing-control receptors and in the response to breathing medication. Women in the late cycle had significantly more of these receptors than men.
What it means for you
The female cycle changes how receptors that affect breathing work, which could explain why some women's asthma worsens before their period. The main limitations are the small sample (9 women) and that the study only looked at immune cells.
9
women studied (and 9 men as controls)
3.3-fold
estradiol increase in luteal phase
10.6-fold
progesterone increase in luteal phase
About the study
- Original title
- Influence of sex-steroid hormones on the regulation of lymphocyte beta 2-adrenoceptors during the menstrual cycle
- Authors
- Wheeldon NM, Newnham DM, Coutie WJ et al.
- Journal
- British journal of clinical pharmacology
- Year
- 1994
- Study design
- Lab study
- What was tested
- None; measurement at different cycle phases.
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.1994.tb04308.x