Do any females out there feel worse with thier asthma
during your period?

If so, why does this happen, and what can make it better?

Blue

Stress is known to play a role in asthma control -- acute attacks are more likely to get worse if someone is stressed out while they're having them, but it is rarely the sole trigger.

What seems a more plausible explanation has more to do with the immune system. In some people, at some times, menstruation can set off a chain of events that makes your immune system a little more or a little less on guard. It depends entirely on the person. It could be that your body's natural resistance to allergens is dulled when you are menstruating. I know when I start, my immune system sometimes gets so out of whack that I end up with a cold sore.

I've read some interesting research studies into the relationship between hormones and asthma. It is apparently not uncommon for asthma to change (for better or worse) during pregnancy, menstration, even at puberty and menopause. The 'Pill" can also sometimes aggravate asthma. Haven't read anything that suggests why this happens. Personally, my asthma symtpoms almost disappeared at puberty and reappeared with a vengence during my second pregnancy. My mother-in-law had asthma all her life and her symptoms disappeared at menopause.

Barb

huh! interesting.

I cannot tell. I cannot seem to gage what triggers my asthma altogether. I know that paint and dust and chemicals bother me.

I also notice that whenever I get into the car to drive, I start to tense up... (anxiety)

But, every month, it seems o get worse around that special time.... but a lot of my habits change around then too....

I get VERY emotional, I eat chocolate, and I do get really really really bad cramps, and bloated and sore. Sometimes I feel so crappy I throw up.

But, on the other hand, I try to take motrin for my cramps, and that may be making things icky.

Hard to say. Here starts yet another process of elimination, I suppose.

Thanks for your replies. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Blue

I had such horrible cramps (with the puking and everything) that I ended up starting to take the bcpill to make it better.

I haven't found it to make an impact on my asthma at all.

Huh. There is a VERY notice-able difference in breathing when my period ends.

Weird.

Blue

Lol, well, it *is* different for everyone.

Hormonal causes are in the textbook http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif but not every patient reads the textbook.

As long as you've recognized it, I mean, most people are just like augh my asthma is crappy and don't try to think about it beyond that.

I WISH I couldn't think about it!!!! But I am CONSTANTLY aware of my breathing.

AUGH is RIGHT. BLAGH!!!!!

Blue

You know Blue, now that you mention it, I think that's the worst part of this rotten asthma - being aware of your breathing all the time. I mean, this is supposed to be an involuntary reflex action. We're not supposed to have to think about it. So now I think I will go find some of that chocolate you mentioned and sulk. Anyone have some cheese for my whine? http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Barb

You know what's kind of funny, is I was like, "wow, I have never noticed it being worse when I'm menstruating" but now that I am menstruating I feel like crap?

LOL

I have been looking into this subject alittle and you are right, there are documented cases of hormonal differences in some asthmatics!!!!

I think it has something to do with seratonin, too.

But the interesting thing is, that, half of my asthma is caused by my anxiety about my asthma.

I don't know why I am always focused on the breathing... what good is THAT going to do?

AS IF I could be too distracted by ANYthing to notice if I suddenly stopped breathing.

Another interesting thing, I just had reflexology done on my hands and feet, and in both places, I nearly jumped off the table when my pituaitary gland area was hit.

There is some association between this and you hormones.

I suspect that menopause being able to take the asthma away too, indicates a strong involvement.

Huh. I am gonna investigate some more.

Chocolate sure does make things better, doesn't it? LOL

Blue

My asthma is most definately worse during PMS. I get very bad attacks. It has to with your hormones. 2 Weeks ago I was rushed to the Hospital for my asthma - and that again, was during my period.

Why isn't more research done to prove beyond a doubt what effect hormones have on asthma...... this could be the key to contributing to the cure of the disease.

Especially because it seems to me that stress and pms are two very significant factors in the exascerbation of symptoms for a lot of people.

And I think that statistically, there are more women with asthma thatn men.

(I am not saying that physical triggers are not significant.... they are VERY real.... but perhaps it is something in our hormones which doesn't allow us to tolerate things as well, or, causes an inflamation process.)

That's a very interesting thought Blue. I don't think there's been enough research into the whole hormone issue, but there is certainly something too it. The puzzle seems to be that different hormone stages affect people differently. Some people get better, some get worse. Sure wish they would study this more.

Barb

There are actually more men with asthma than women. But only about 3:2 on the ratio -- so it's not a huge margin.

They have done research into hormonal -- the best they can come up with is that it affects the anxiety response which can make an attack worse much faster. It also doesn't apply to everybody, just like how not every asthmatic has allergies.