Women Suffer from Asthma Symptoms More Frequently and More Severely Than Men

Women suffer from asthma symptoms more frequently and more severely than men

Credit: Medical University of Vienna

This phenomenon accompanies women through the waves of hormone production in their respective life phases – from their first period to the taking of contraceptives, pregnancy through to hormonal replacement therapy at the menopause. In addition to that, they become more sensitive to environmental pollutants, especially smoking.

Nowadays, taking hormones is almost unavoidable because of life and family planning and also to avoid falling hormone levels, which play a significant role in the development of osteoporosis, for example. “Such hormone treatments can trigger hypersensitivities, which, on top of that, are characterised by atypical symptomatology,” explains Jensen-Jarolim. These atypical symptoms include migraines, joint pain, eczema, worsening of acne and breathing difficulties. “We still do not pay enough attention to these links in the interaction between allergology and gynaecology.” Hormone treatments are also playing an increasing role in transgender medicine and must be borne in mind.

Considering hormonal factors in allergies

“Where am I in my cycle? Am I taking hormone preparations? Do I already suffer from asthma?” – these questions should be considered and discussed between doctor and patient, advises Jensen-Jarolim. Especially if the woman is pregnant: “The hormone balance changes again in pregnancy. Asthma can worsen in one third of pregnant women – and an asthma attack during pregnancy represents a serious risk to mother and child.” It is therefore advisable to have an allergy diagnosed at an early stage, preferably before the pregnancy – because an untreated allergy is the first step towards asthma.

Problem of “allergy to hormones” still practically unresearched

A field of research that is still in its infancy but is becoming increasingly important and affects women is that of allergy to hormones themselves, that is to say a “hormone allergy” in connection with contraceptives, which can even lead to miscarriage. The scientists at MedUni Vienna believe there is a pressing need not only to initiate research in this area but also to progress diagnostics together with the gynaecologists. Hitherto there is practically no experience in this area in Austria, as in most countries.

Contacts and sources:
Medical University of Vienna

Citation: Neuen Erkenntnissen über die Effekte von Gender und Sexualhormonen in der Allergologie widmet sich das deutsche Magazin „Allergologie“ (Jahrgang 40, Nummer 3, März 2017) in der aktuellen Ausgabe (Ed. Jensen-Jarolim).
Link zum Magazin: https://www.dustri.com/nc/de/deutschsprachige-zeitschriften/mag/allergologie/vol/jahrgang-40-2017/issue/maumlrz-15.html