Oral Contraceptives May Help Treat Asthma

Nov. 6, 2009 -- Treatment with oral contraceptives may benefit premenopausal
women with asthma, even if their asthma symptoms are not strongly linked to
their monthly menstrual cycles, early research suggests.
In a small but rigorously designed study, researchers from the University of
Alberta confirmed that fluctuating levels of the sex hormones estrogen and
progesterone have a direct impact on markers of airway inflammation.
Oral contraceptives are already used as a complementary asthma treatment in
women whose symptoms are closely tied to their menstrual cycles.
The new research suggests a much broader group of women may also benefit,
study researcher Piush J. Mandhane, MD, PhD, tells WebMD.
"Until now, we did not have the data to show that estrogen and progesterone
influence asthma," he says. "Now we have it and it opens up new areas of
inquiry for the management of asthma in women."



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