Asthma and menstration - Asthma Message Board

01-27-2003, 06:54 PM

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

wrin · 01-27-2003, 07:44 PM

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.

charleyhorse · 01-27-2003, 11:10 PM

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

01-28-2003, 01:12 PM

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.

Blue

wrin · 01-28-2003, 04:16 PM

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.