How do hormones impact asthma?

 Asthma is a tricky disease. It changes over time, especially as age and hormones change.

When boys are younger, they are more likely to end up at the doctor's office, ER, or even be hospitalized thanks to asthma. 

Once puberty hits, rates switch to women having higher rates of doctor visits, ER visits, and being hospitalized for asthma. 

1/3 of women will also have asthma flares just before their period. Which is concerning that some women can plan on having an asthma flare once a month...

Women seem to get the short end of the stick when it comes to asthma.

Cleveland Clinic says:

“Women are hospitalized twice as frequently as men for asthma and their mortality is twice as high,"

It's a sobering thought to know that women are twice as likely to die from asthma as men. 

 What researchers are finding

Researchers report that women with endometriosis have higher rates of asthma - due to an imbalance of estrogen. A study reviewed records from almost 3 million women. 

They found that 23.8% of women with endometriosis had asthma, versus 13.2% of women without endometriosis. 

Doctors often ask patients if they are having asthma flares from dust, mold, pets, smokers, etc. 

But how often doctors consider if hormones are triggering an asthma flare?

If you are a woman having a hard time controlling your asthma, it may help your doctor treat you if you keep track of when you are having symptoms (like having a flare every month right before your cycle.)

You can also consider letting your doctor know if you have endometriosis. And ask your doctor if that is impacting your asthma.

 Researchers can see the connection with hormones and asthma but aren't sure about how it works. One theory researchers are studying is if hormones impact how effective the hair-like cilia is able to clear mucus from the airways. 

If you want to read more about hormones and asthma, Cleveland Clinic also discusses how birth control and menopause also impact asthma.