The influence of bronchial asthma on menstrual cycle

J Physiol Pharmacol. 2007 Nov;58 Suppl 5(Pt 1):165-73.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of bronchial asthma on menstrual cycle. The study population consisted of 111 girls aged 8-17 years (58 girls with bronchial asthma and 53 healthy girls) of the mean age of 13.17+/-2.74 years. The age at menarche and menstrual cycle parameters were analyzed. Asthmatic girls started to menstruate earlier than healthy girls (P=0.0004). The severity of bronchial asthma (P=0.0096) correlated with the age at menarche. Irregular menstrual cycles were found in 50.0% of asthmatic girls and 27.8% of control group (P=0.03). Algomenorrhea was observed in 68.0% of girls with asthma and in 80.6% of healthy ones (P=0.013). We conclude that bronchial asthma increases the risk of irregular menstrual cycles prevalence but decreases the frequency of algomenorrhea among girls. The age at menarche is accelerated in bronchial asthma.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Asthma / complications
  • Asthma / epidemiology
  • Asthma / physiopathology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Menarche
  • Menstrual Cycle*
  • Menstruation Disturbances / epidemiology
  • Menstruation Disturbances / etiology*
  • Menstruation Disturbances / physiopathology
  • Prevalence
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sexual Maturation*