Yes, asthma symptoms can worsen during periods. This is because the levels of body hormones – progesterone and estrogen – start to decrease from a few days before the period. The decrease in the levels of these hormones even continues during the period. These changes in hormone levels aggravate asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath, in many women. In fact, the asthma symptoms worsen during menstrual cycle in almost 50 per cent of women with asthma.

Generally, women who have irregular periods, tend to suffer more from these asthma symptoms. Although research has not yet found a definite link between birth control medications and asthma, several women who take birth control pills, such as Depo-Provera, report alleviation of their asthma symptoms. This may be because birth control pills help to control the changes of progesterone and estrogen levels in the body, the leading cause of asthma complications during periods.

Hormone levels drop before and during menopause. That is why women in their mid-forties suffer from asthma complications. Also, women who are undertaking hormone replacement therapy – to replace the amount of progesterone and estrogen in the body - may face variations in their asthma conditions.

Doctors usually increase the dose of asthma control medication or prescribe a different asthma medication before the period. This prevents worsening of the asthma symptoms.