Asthma: Why are symptoms worse during my period?

Just before and during your period, levels of progesterone and estrogen decrease. In some women, these hormone changes may worsen asthma. The relationship between hormones and asthma is complex, varies between individuals and isn't fully understood.

Along with women's menstrual cycles, other things that cause changes in hormone levels may also worsen or improve asthma symptoms. These include:

• Irregular periods. Asthma symptoms in women with irregular periods may be worse than they are in women who have regular periods.
• Birth control medications. Birth control pills and shots affect estrogen and progesterone levels and may ease asthma symptoms in some women.
• Pregnancy. Pregnancy may increase the risk of having a severe asthma attack. For some women, however, hormone changes during pregnancy may actually improve asthma symptoms.
• Menopause. Dropping hormone levels associated with menopause may make asthma symptoms worse for some women.
• Hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement with estrogen or progesterone may improve asthma symptoms in some women who have gone through menopause. But, study results are conflicting, and hormone replacement appears to worsen asthma in some women.

If you have bothersome asthma symptoms during your period, your doctor may recommend that you increase your asthma control medication or take a different medication before your period starts.