---
title: Does estradiol help asthma that worsens before the period? | Niyora
description: This is one case of a woman with severe asthma who improved on estradiol, but the finding may only apply to severe asthma and more research is needed.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/estradiol-in-severe-asthma-with-premenstrual-worsening-2003/
---

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- Does estradiol help asthma that worsens before the period?

Randomised trial, 2003

# Does estradiol help asthma that worsens before the period?

This is one case of a woman with severe asthma who improved on estradiol, but the finding may only apply to severe asthma and more research is needed.

 Early or limited evidence

One 50-year-old woman with 14-year history of severe steroid-dependent asthma and premenstrual worsening

## What they did

A 50-year-old woman with severe steroid-dependent asthma and monthly worsening before her period took either estradiol 2 mg or placebo for 6 days during the late luteal phase (days 23-28) for 2 successive menstrual cycles. Her asthma symptoms, lung function, and inflammation markers were measured.

## What they found

During the estradiol cycle compared to placebo, she had better asthma symptoms, better lung function, better peak expiratory flows, lower prednisone use, and lower markers of airway inflammation (serum eosinophil protein X and urinary leukotriene E4).

## What it means for you

This is a single case study, not a large research trial. It suggests estradiol might help women with severe asthma that worsens before their period, but the finding contradicts a larger study of women with mild asthma. Much larger studies are needed before estradiol can be recommended as a treatment.

1

Number of women studied

2

Consecutive cycles tested

14-year

History of severe asthma

## About the study

Original title Estradiol in severe asthma with premenstrual worsening Authors Ensom MH, Chong G, Beaudin B et al. Journal The Annals of pharmacotherapy Year 2003 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Estradiol 2 mg for 6 days (days 23-28 of cycle) vs placebo Read the paper [doi.org/10.1345/aph.1d090](https://doi.org/10.1345/aph.1d090)

## Topics

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

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