Cough and shortness of breath in women depend on the phase of the menstrual cycle

Women's respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath, vary significantly depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle, a new study has found.

The study suggests that treatment for respiratory conditions such as asthma could be improved by tailoring it to a woman's menstrual cycle.

The study involved 4,000 women who filled out questionnaires about their respiratory symptoms, asthma, body mass index and smoking. All women reported higher levels of wheezing from days 10 to 22 of the menstrual cycle, with a slight decline during ovulation for most. Shortness of breath was most pronounced from days 7 to 21 of the cycle, with some decrease in the middle of the cycle. Rates of cough were higher immediately after ovulation among women with asthma, smokers, and those who were overweight. When the level of respiratory symptoms was low, the cough increased before ovulation and before menstruation.

The study was published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

"Our findings highlight the potential for individualized therapy for respiratory diseases based on a woman's individual symptom profile. Taking into account the day of the menstrual cycle when prescribing asthma medications may improve their effectiveness, reduce the frequency of exacerbations and reduce the cost of treatment," said Dr. Ferenc Maskali from Haukeland University Hospital in Norway.

Source: med2.ru