Survey study, 2011
Do asthma symptoms get worse around menstruation?
In this study of Saudi women with asthma, 8.2% had asthma symptoms that got worse around menstruation. Women with more severe asthma overall were more likely to experience this pattern.
What they did
Researchers reviewed medical records of female asthma patients (excluding those who were pregnant, on birth control pills, menopausal, or had had hysterectomies) seen between January 2008 and May 2009. They asked whether asthma symptoms worsened just before or in the first days of menstruation.
What they found
8.2% of the women had asthma that got worse around menstruation. Asthma severity showed a clear relationship to this pattern. Women with asthma triggered by aspirin and those with other allergic conditions were more likely to have asthma that worsened around their period.
What it means for you
A small number of women with asthma in Saudi Arabia experience worsening symptoms around menstruation, and this is more common in those with more severe asthma overall. The main limits are that this was one hospital in one country, and the exact number of women studied was not stated.
8.2%
women with asthma worsening around menstruation
About the study
- Original title
- Relation of perimenstrual asthma with disease severity and other allergic co-morbidities--the first report of perimenstrual asthma prevalence in Saudi Arabia
- Authors
- Sabry EY
- Journal
- Allergologia et immunopathologia
- Year
- 2011
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None; the study observed asthma symptom patterns around menstruation.
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.aller.2010.02.011
Topics
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