Asthma and Menstrual Periods: Is There a Link?

Many irritants and allergens are known to trigger asthma attacks. Some women may notice that they experience more asthma attacks during their menstrual period. Is menstruation a surprising cause of attacks? Here are some of the things that you should know about the links between asthma and menstrual periods.

Hormonal Changes May Trigger Asthma Attacks

Women who suffer from asthma may find that their symptoms are worse during their menstrual period. According to the New York Times, it is common for women to experience worse asthma symptoms when the menstrual period first begins. Menstrual periods are thought to affect asthma due to lower levels of estrogen and progesterone hormone during this time, according to the Mayo Clinic.

A Link Between Irregular Menstrual Periods and Asthma

Studies have shown that irregular menstrual periods are also linked to asthma symptoms. Women are 50 percent more likely to experience asthma or asthma attacks if they also have irregular menstrual periods, according to Web MD. This even includes women who take asthma medication. Researchers believe that the two health conditions are linked because women who suffer from both of them share the same risk factors.

The risk factors which were linked to irregular periods included being at a heavier weight for young women and smoking or starting menopause for older women, according to Web MD. Women who want to reduce the risk of asthma attacks may want to consider losing weight, not smoking and using hormonal therapy methods to prevent hormonal changes from leading to asthma attacks.

How to Cope with Asthma Attacks Due to Menstrual Periods

If you have noticed that your menstrual periods seem to trigger asthma attacks, it may be ideal to consider opting for a method of contraception which will prevent you from menstruating regularly. According to Columbia University's Q&A Internet Service, extended-cycle birth control pills like Seasonique and Seasonale are recommended for women who suffer from asthma that is triggered by menstruation.

Since asthma attacks occur due to a decrease in hormone levels during the time of menstruation, some women may find some relief by using a birth control pill which contains a small dose of estrogen. On the other hand, there are some women who may find that this does not help them. It is best to experiment with different methods of contraception before determining what helps prevent your menstrual periods from leading to increased asthma attacks.

If you are a woman who suffers from asthma, the most important thing is to be aware of the risk between menstrual periods and attacks. It is important to always make sure that you have your inhaler with you during this time.

Sources:

Columbia University, "Extended-cycle birth control pills: Putting periods on hold."

Mayo Clinic, "Asthma: Why are symptoms worse during my period?"

New York Times, "An Asthma Link to Women's Cycle."

Web MD, "Asthma, Allergies Linked to Irregular Periods."