Survey study, 2005
Why do some women's asthma symptoms get worse before their period?
Up to 40% of women with asthma report worse symptoms before menstruation. The exact causes aren't fully understood but may involve female sex hormones and airway inflammation.
What they did
Literature review of research on how the menstrual cycle affects asthma symptoms and lung function, including the role of female sex hormones and airway inflammation.
What they found
Up to 40% of women with asthma experience symptom exacerbation a few days before menstruation. Proposed mechanisms include effects of female sex hormones on the airways and beta2 adrenergic receptor function, and changes in airway inflammation across the menstrual cycle.
What it means for you
Asthma that worsens before menstruation is common but not well understood. The mechanism likely involves hormones and inflammation, but more research is needed. Since this is a review article, it doesn't provide new evidence about specific causes or treatments.
up to 40%
Women with asthma experiencing premenstrual symptoms
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual asthma
- Authors
- Chhabra SK
- Journal
- The Indian journal of chest diseases & allied sciences
- Year
- 2005
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None - literature review
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15832955/