Randomised trial, 2003
What causes asthma to worsen before the period?
Asthma worsens before the period in 30-40% of asthmatic women, but the exact cause is unknown. Hormone changes are likely involved, but this hasn't been proven.
What they did
This is a review article that summarizes existing research on perimenstrual asthma.
What they found
30-40% of asthmatic women have worsening asthma during the 5-10 days before their period, backed by increased doctor visits and changes in peak expiratory flows measured at home. Several case reports suggest estrogens, progestins, or combination hormone therapy might help, but no large randomized controlled trials have tested this.
What it means for you
Perimenstrual asthma affects many asthmatic women but is not well understood. Hormones appear to be involved based on case reports, but much larger studies are needed to test whether hormone therapy actually works and to understand the underlying cause.
30-40%
Asthmatic women with premenstrual worsening
5-10 days
Timing of symptom worsening before period
About the study
- Original title
- Perimenstrual asthma: a syndrome without known cause or cure
- Authors
- Vrieze A, Postma DS, Kerstjens HA
- Journal
- The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology
- Year
- 2003
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1067/mai.2003.1676