Exacerbation of premenstrual asthma caused by an oral contraceptive.
BACKGROUND
The relationship between sex hormones and asthma has not been clarified. Studies have suggested a potential beneficial effect of exogenous sex hormones and/or contraceptive pills on asthma in premenopausal females whereas the data for postmenopausal females are inconsistent.


METHODS
A 33-year-old woman suffering from asthma with premenstrual exacerbations had a stable course until she began taking oral contraceptives. At that time she experienced clinical deterioration of her asthma associated with decline of pulmonary function tests. No other precipitating factors were identified. After discontinuing the contraceptives, her condition returned to baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
We found only two reports of worsening of asthma related to hormonal therapy (estrogen in one case, contraceptive pills in the other) in premenopausal women. Our report, together with these observations, suggests that in some premenopausal women exogenous sex hormones and/or contraceptive pills may, contrary to expected, produce exacerbation of asthma.
Internal Medicine, Morristown Memorial Hospital, New Jersey, USA.
G S
GS
Derimanov
J
J
Oppenheimer
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral