Randomised trial, 2001
Can long-acting bronchodilators prevent asthma from getting worse before the period?
Yes. In women whose asthma worsens before their period, salmeterol given for 10 days before menstruation completely prevented worsening in 54% of them and partially prevented it in 15%.
What they did
67 women with mild-to-severe asthma were tracked for 3 menstrual cycles. The 13 women whose peak expiratory flow dropped 20% or more before their period then took either salmeterol 50 mcg twice daily or placebo for 10 days before their period in a randomized, double-blind crossover design.
What they found
13 women (19.4% of the total) had premenstrual asthma worsening with a mean peak flow decrease of 27%. When taking salmeterol, 7 patients (54%) had complete relief, 2 (15%) had partial relief, and 4 had no effect. Only 1 patient showed partial relief with placebo. Rescue inhaler use decreased in those who responded to salmeterol.
What it means for you
About 1 in 5 women on steroid inhalers have asthma that worsens before their period. Long-acting bronchodilators timed to the menstrual cycle help about two-thirds of these women, completely preventing the problem in half of them. This is a practical strategy for managing premenstrual asthma.
13 (19.4%)
Women with premenstrual asthma worsening
27%
Mean decrease in peak expiratory flow
54%
Complete prevention with salmeterol
About the study
- Original title
- Long-acting bronchodilators in premenstrual exacerbation of asthma
- Authors
- Magadle R, Berar-Yanay N, Weiner P
- Journal
- Respiratory medicine
- Year
- 2001
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 67
- What was tested
- Salmeterol 50 mcg twice daily for 10 days before period vs placebo
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1053/rmed.2001.1132
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