[sidebar]In a study of 44 women with unstable asthma who had near-fatal asthma attacks, 25% had the attack on the first day of menstruation, while the rest occurred at random. The women whose bouts coincided with their period also experienced more symptoms in the days leading up to the attack. Asthma experts think changes in menstrual hormones may tighten airways in the lungs. “But whether it’s due to increases or decreases in estrogen or progesterone or the balance of hormones, we don’t know,” says Sally Wenzel, MD, a severe-asthma specialist at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver. In the meantime, if you’re among the 10% of asthmatic women with unstable asthma, a form of the disease characterized by sudden flare-ups, consider taking the Pill or a progestin-only contraceptive. They can improve symptoms, says Wenzel. Also, make sure to keep your inhaler close at hand at all times during your period. More from Prevention: How To KeepAsthmaFrom Wrecking Your Sex Life
