Bronchial asthma in females and its relation to the menstrual period

ABSTRACT

To confirm the relationship between bronchial asthma and the menstrual period, 20 asthmatic and 10 healthy females were included in this study. Measurment of serum progesterone levels was made two times for each subject one week before [Luteal phase] and one week after [follicular phase] a regular menstrual period, respiratory function tests [EEV[1], FEV[1] / FVC% and PEFR] were measured two times for each subject one week after [follicular phase] and on the first day [late luteal] of the menstrual period. Results obtained showed that serum progesterone levels were significantly lower in asthmatic than that in normal females in both the follicular and luteal phases. Values for respiratory function tests [EEV[1], FEV[1] / FVC% and PEFR] all showed a significant reduction on the first day than that obtained 7 days after the menstrual period, and the reduction was significantly higher in asthmatic than in normal females