---
title: Does montelukast help asthma that gets worse before the period?
description: Yes, in women whose asthma worsens premenstrually, montelukast improved airflow and reduced symptoms compared to placebo. In women whose asthma does not worse
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/leukotriene-receptor-antagonists-a-good-choice-in-the-treatment-of-premenstrual-2008/
---

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- Does montelukast help asthma that gets worse before the period?

Non-randomised trial, 2008

# Does montelukast help asthma that gets worse before the period?

Yes, in women whose asthma worsens premenstrually, montelukast improved airflow and reduced symptoms compared to placebo. In women whose asthma does not worsen with their cycle, montelukast made no difference.

 Early or limited evidence

24 women with mild asthma, 11 with premenstrual worsening

## What they did

Nonrandomized trial of 24 women with mild asthma followed for 3 menstrual cycles. Month 1: all used inhaled steroids only. Month 2: steroids plus placebo. Month 3: steroids plus montelukast. They measured peak airflow and asthma symptoms, and hormone levels (FSH, LH, estrogen, progesterone) at baseline.

## What they found

Among 11 women with premenstrual asthma worsening, montelukast significantly improved peak airflow variability and symptom scores compared to placebo. Among 13 women without premenstrual worsening, montelukast made no difference. Baseline FSH was higher in the premenstrual asthma group but hormone levels did not change with treatment.

## What it means for you

Montelukast may help the specific group of women whose asthma worsens before their period, possibly by reducing inflammation. However, this is a very small study and not a randomized controlled trial. It does not provide specific numbers for how much symptoms improved or information about side effects. Findings need confirmation in larger studies.

24

Women with mild asthma

11

With premenstrual worsening

13

Without premenstrual worsening

## About the study

Original title Leukotriene receptor antagonists: a good choice in the treatment of premenstrual asthma? Authors Pasaoglu G, Mungan D, Abadoglu O et al. Journal The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma Year 2008 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 13 What was tested Montelukast (leukotriene receptor antagonist) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/02770900701751799](https://doi.org/10.1080/02770900701751799)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual exacerbation (PME)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pme/)

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