Hormones and asthma

[EmAl95]

I've had a few months of fluctuating asthma symptoms where it would be okay for a couple of weeks and then really bad (mainly with the cough). My preventer inhaler has been changed 3 times and I've been on montelukast for just over a month but it's made no difference and I couldn't identify anything triggering these episodes.

I've noticed this month that my symptoms became really bad the week before I was due my period, and the day I got my period my asthma symptoms mostly stopped. Looking back at the last few months it seems to follow this pattern and I've done some reading around it and seen that the week before a period can trigger asthma symptoms in women.

Has anybody experienced this? What has helped? I can't just accept that this is part of my cycle! The asthma nurse is calling me to check in on Monday so I'll be sure to discuss it with her as well.

[Melanie1989]

This happens to me to and most of my serious attacks have been around my period. It is only recently that research has shown a link between asthma and hormones, so some Dr's especially older ones will dismiss it.

I have severe Asthma and I spoke to an Asthma UK nurse who thinks it may be triggered by the birth of my youngest. I mentioned it to my Dr who said it's not possible 🙄. The AUK nurse mentioned possibly hormonal contraceptive may help but unfortunately most of these are not suitable for me.

I would definetly give AUK a ring as they were so knowledgeable about hormones and asthma. Good luck 😊

[EmAl95 in reply to Melanie1989]

That's really interesting, thank you for sharing your experience! Not all contraceptive pills are suitable for me as I get migraines but I've been on the progesterone only pill before. I came off it as it affected my mood but if it could improve my asthma I'd definitely give it another go! It's exhausting going through this every month!

I find that sometimes you just have to tell the doctor what you want, so when the nurse calls me I'll say I think it's related to hormones and I'd like to try the pill. She didn't want to hear my experiences last time but I'll try again!

[Melanie1989 in reply to EmAl95]

Definetly find you have to tell them what you want rather than ask! Let me know how it goes.

[JustR]

This has been my experience for the last 18months too! I’m also a severe asthmatic and It’s just as you’ve described.

A week before my period my symptoms start to flare and then as soon as I start my period my symptoms ease off..

My asthma nurse at hospital was the only one who took me seriously after many times of raising with GP and consultant. She suggested I try going onto the mini pill desogestrel so I did for 12months. Hard to say how effective it was as my asthma was very bad at the time due to a long recovery from Flu. I noticed my symptoms eased a little in the short term but as I stayed on the pill I felt the pill side effects started to out weigh staying on it. I’ve now been off the pill since September and I’m just trying to keep a diary of my symptoms and if it’s still causing bad flares. So far after coming off I’ve been ok, still notice my asthma symptoms flare a week before but not as bad as what they did. So it’s a really hard one to try and work out🙈

[Pipsqueak77 in reply to JustR]

Hi

Yes definitely have problems with asthma and hormones.. the same as you guys.

I don’t have any answers I’m afraid but just wanted to let you know that you are not alone!

Mine has also gotten a lot worse as ive aged too... 😢

[EmAl95 in reply to Pipsqueak77]

I'm sorry you haven't found something that helps but I'm so glad to know it isn't just me hahah! I hope you find something that helps ☺️

[EmAl95 in reply to JustR]

That's exactly what I'm getting! It's taken me a while to work out the pattern but I started keeping a symptom diary and noticed it, and then thinking back I've realised it's been happening for quite a few months. The nurse hasn't been taking my symptoms seriously so far - just says keep taking the inhaler and see how I am - but it's getting worse. I'm hoping they'll take me seriously when I say I've noticed this pattern.

I was also on the pill for about 4 years for something else, but in the end it lowered my mood too much I came off it. I'm hoping it won't have the effect again if I go on it for this.

Thank you for sharing!

[JustR in reply to EmAl95]

The only thing that was interesting was after coming off the pill in September I had a blood test and GP told me I was very deficient in folic acid. Ive never been deficient in this so I’ve taken 5mg folic acid tablets for the last 3months now and not sure if that’s helped my symptoms in any way?

[ReedB]

Hi, definitely not alone. I've noticed my asthma gets worse around period time. It got to the point where I finally tried the pill a couple of weeks ago but that actually made it worse and I got a migraine to go with it! Fun... My chest still hasn't completely settled. Not sure what can be done apart from increasing my inhalers around the time. I'd be very interested if anyone else finds something that helps. Xx

[EmAl95 in reply to ReedB]

Sorry to hear the pill didn't work for you. I'll report back here if I find anything that works!

[LHP118]

Yes, I have this happen to me and am conscious of the fact that a week before and during menstruation there is an increase in symptoms. It would seem that other triggers layer on to my symptoms and increase intensity - my triggers include cold, damp, storms, allergic reactions to lemonene, hay fever (grass), dust/dust mites, musk/certain perfumes, pollution (fumes). I have excessive bleeding for the first 2 days of my periods and refuse to take contraceptives or hormones to countervent this (rightly surmising it would mess with my hormones further). Other drugs can, also, so easily impact asthma...

[EmAl95 in reply to LHP118]

Yeah I think that hormone fluctuations might be making me more susceptible to my normal asthma triggers! The week before my period even the most subtle temperature change will leave me coughing for the rest of the day!

[Pugdog]

My respiratory consultant diagnosed me with pregnancy induced asthma so it can definitely be effected by hormones and even brought on by hormones by the sounds of it. I also notice a connection between times of the month and my fluctuations in hormones. Very annoying and I just hope that eventual menopause may bring some stability in hormone fluctuations? Other than some kind of pill that I’m reluctant to go on there doesn’t seem to be much of a solution.

[EmAl95 in reply to Pugdog]

I'll never underestimate the impact hormones can have on health again!