--- title: How common is asthma worsening related to the menstrual cycle? description: About 23 percent of female asthma patients in this study reported that their asthma got worse during their menstrual cycle, usually in the week before their p url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-linked-asthma-1997/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How common is asthma worsening related to the menstrual cycle? Survey study, 1997 # How common is asthma worsening related to the menstrual cycle? About 23 percent of female asthma patients in this study reported that their asthma got worse during their menstrual cycle, usually in the week before their period. This form of asthma was often more severe. Early or limited evidence 100 female asthmatics in reproductive age in India; 10 maintained peak flow diaries ## What they did 100 female asthma patients answered questions about whether their asthma worsened with their menstrual cycle. 10 of these women also kept daily records of their peak expiratory flow (lung function) for 2 consecutive menstrual cycles. ## What they found 23 women reported worsening related to their cycle. Worsening was most common in the premenstrual week (17 women), and in 8 of these 17 it continued into the menstrual week. 14 women had worsening with almost every cycle. In the 10 women who kept flow records, morning and evening peak flow dropped significantly in the premenstrual and menstrual weeks compared to the midcycle week. Women with menstrual-linked asthma had longer illness duration and more severe disease with more emergency room visits and hospitalizations. ## What it means for you About one-quarter of female asthma patients in India had menstrual-linked asthma, which was often a more severe form. The study measured actual changes in lung function, not just patient perception. It was limited to one country and did not include a control group of women without menstrual-linked asthma. 100 female asthmatics surveyed 23 reported menstrual-linked asthma 10 maintained peak flow diaries ## About the study Original title Menstrual-linked asthma Authors Agarwal AK, Shah A Journal The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma Year 1997 Study design Survey study Participants 17 Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/02770909709055398](https://doi.org/10.3109/02770909709055398) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual exacerbation (PME)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pme/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Review, 2026 How do social factors like stigma and unequal care responsibilities affect premenstrual symptoms? Systematic review, 2025 Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS? Randomised trial, 2000 How should PMDD be diagnosed and treated? Study, 2026 What coping strategies help women manage PMS symptoms? Randomised trial, 2026 Does yoga or foot reflexology work better for teenage PMS? Survey study, 2025 Is a negative attitude toward menstruation linked to worse PMS symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗