---
title: What causes asthma to worsen before the period? | Niyora
description: Asthma worsens before the period in 30-40% of asthmatic women, but the exact cause is unknown. Hormone changes are likely involved, but this hasn't been prove
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/perimenstrual-asthma-a-syndrome-without-known-cause-or-cure-2003/
---

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- What causes asthma to worsen before the period?

Randomised trial, 2003

# What causes asthma to worsen before the period?

Asthma worsens before the period in 30-40% of asthmatic women, but the exact cause is unknown. Hormone changes are likely involved, but this hasn't been proven.

 Early or limited evidence

Asthmatic women (review of existing literature)

## What they did

This is a review article that summarizes existing research on perimenstrual asthma.

## What they found

30-40% of asthmatic women have worsening asthma during the 5-10 days before their period, backed by increased doctor visits and changes in peak expiratory flows measured at home. Several case reports suggest estrogens, progestins, or combination hormone therapy might help, but no large randomized controlled trials have tested this.

## What it means for you

Perimenstrual asthma affects many asthmatic women but is not well understood. Hormones appear to be involved based on case reports, but much larger studies are needed to test whether hormone therapy actually works and to understand the underlying cause.

30-40%

Asthmatic women with premenstrual worsening

5-10 days

Timing of symptom worsening before period

## About the study

Original title Perimenstrual asthma: a syndrome without known cause or cure Authors Vrieze A, Postma DS, Kerstjens HA Journal The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology Year 2003 Study design Randomised trial Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1067/mai.2003.1676](https://doi.org/10.1067/mai.2003.1676)

## Topics

[Premenstrual exacerbation (PME)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pme/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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Case report, 2022

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Survey study, 2016

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