Skip to content

Survey study, 2014

Do women's asthma symptoms get worse around their period?

Up to 40 percent of asthmatic women may have worse asthma around their period. Doctors think female hormones affect the lungs, but they don't fully understand how and need more research.

Early or limited evidence Asthmatic women of childbearing age

What they did

This was a review of what is known about asthma that worsens around menstruation.

What they found

Up to 40 percent of asthmatic women of childbearing age may experience worse asthma symptoms during the perimenstrual period. Female hormones may affect the lungs and cause airway inflammation, but the exact cause is unclear.

What it means for you

Asthma that worsens around the period is a real problem affecting many women. Doctors need better tools to diagnose it and more research to understand how hormones affect asthma and how to treat it.

up to 40%

of asthmatic women with perimenstrual worsening

About the study

Original title
Perimenstrual asthma as a gynecological and pulmonological clinical problem
Authors
Skoczyński S, Semik-Orzech A, Szanecki W et al.
Journal
Advances in clinical and experimental medicine : official organ Wroclaw Medical University
Year
2014
Study design
Survey study
Open access
Yes

Topics