Does wheezing and shortness of breath increase during periods?
Patient: I have asthma which over the past six months has been getting harder to keep in check. Have bouts of wheezing and shortness of breath on and off and am just starting to notice that it occurs more when I have my period. Is that anything significant or just coincidence? Doctor: Hello,Thanks for asking your query on HCM.Your observation that asthma gets worse before periods is correct. Just before and during your period, progesterone and estrogen levels decrease. In you these hormone changes may worsen asthma. The relationship between hormones and asthma is complex, varies between individuals and isn't fully understood.Asthma requires two type of medicinesOne is a controller or preventer, usually in the form of inhaled steroids and the other is a reliever which is a short acting beta 2 stimulant, as an inhalant. If the steroid inhaler is not enough to prevent attacks, then a long acting Beta agonist (LABA) is added. You could check with your doctor or contact me with your current medications and I would be able to suggest how you can reduce the attacks.Take CareDr. Noble Zachariah