Assessing the Relationship Between Menstrual Cycle Phases and Asthma Symptoms in Female Patients

Abstract

Background: Chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma are often caused by a variety of variables, and there is growing interest in the role of hormones, especially those related to the female menstrual cycle. Objective: The purpose of the study was to elucidate the relationship between the menstrual cycle and the symptoms of asthma in female patients. Methodology: The purpose of the cross-sectional research, which was carried out at Liaquat Memorial Hospital Kohat, Women and Children hospital Abbottabad, Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar and Poonch Medical College/ CMH Rawalakot AJK from February 2021 to February 2022, was to explore the impact of menstruation on asthma symptoms in female patients. According to the authorized research design, female patients who visited emergency department, gynae opd, were given a thorough health questionnaire to complete in order to prospectively gather data. Menstrual-Related Asthma (MLA) was self-identified by the subjects, who ranged in age from 14 to 45. Spirometric readings were taken after the questionnaire. Several health-related characteristics were taken into consideration while comparing participants with and without MLA using statistical analysis, which included chi-square tests and logistic regression. Results: In our study involving 240 female participants (76.19% response rate), 13.33% reported MLA. Pregnant women with MLA had substantially greater rates of asthma exacerbations (52.38% vs. 29.18%, p=0.032) and higher incidence of allergies (p<0.001). Although the frequencies of symptoms were similar in both groups, women with MLA reported greater doses of rescue medicine (53.33% vs. 37.29%, p=0.010) and more chest tightness (38.09% vs. 27.56%, p=0.101). MLA was linked to more urgent/emergent medical visits, especially to the emergency department (p=0.034), and asthma-related absenteeism (54.76% vs. 36.75%, p=0.003). In comparison to women without MLA, those with MLA also had greater rates of eczema (n=13; 30.95%), heart disease (n=5; 11.90%), and rheumatoid arthritis (n=5; 11.90%). Conclusion: The results of this thorough study highlight the need for customized interventions to meet the particular healthcare needs of women with MLA. They also show a significant correlation between MLA in female patients and distinct exacerbations, increased reliance on rescue medication, elevated asthma-related absenteeism, and a higher prevalence of comorbid health conditions.