- With Mayo Clinic asthma and allergy specialist
James T. Li, M.D.
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James T. Li, M.D.
James T. Li, M.D.
"People with allergy or asthma can lead full and healthy lives." — Dr. James Li
Dr. Li is chair of the Division of Allergic Diseases in the Department of Internal Medicine and a board-certified asthma and allergy specialist. He hopes his expertise and the information on the site educates health care consumers in an area of rapid change both in medications and diagnoses.
"There are a lot of misperceptions about allergy and asthma," says Dr. Li, a New York City native who has been with Mayo since 1985 and works with a group of subspecialists in allergy, asthma and immunology. "I believe it's important to provide truthful, accurate information about allergy and asthma to the public. The more people know, the better they can take care of these conditions."
Dr. Li is a professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. He is a past director of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and is a director of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. He is a fellow in the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and is a director of the American Board of Internal Medicine.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology honored him with the Distinguished Service Award and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology with its Special Recognition Award.
Symptoms (2)
- Vocal cord dysfunction: Is it a type of asthma?
- Asthma without wheezing: Is this possible?
Tests and diagnosis (1)
- Reactive airway disease: Is it asthma?
Lifestyle and home remedies (3)
- Asthma: Why are symptoms worse during my period?
- Asthma diet: What you eat can affect asthma symptoms
- Ozone air purifiers: Can they improve asthma symptoms?
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Question
Asthma: Why are symptoms worse during my period?
Why do my asthma symptoms seem to get worse during my period?
Answer
from James T. Li, M.D.
Nearly half of women with asthma report worsening asthma symptoms during their menstrual cycle. Just before and during your period, levels of the hormones progesterone and estrogen decrease, and these hormone changes may cause worsening asthma symptoms in some women.
Other changes in hormone levels may also worsen or improve asthma symptoms:
- Irregular periods. Women with irregular periods may be more likely to have worse than normal asthma symptoms.
- Birth control medications. Because birth control pills and shots (Depo-Provera) reduce hormone fluctuations, they may help with asthma symptoms in some women whose asthma symptoms seem linked to periods. However, more research is needed to determine how birth control medications affect asthma.
- Menopause. It appears that dropping hormone levels associated with menopause may make asthma symptoms worse for some women.
- Hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement with estrogen and progesterone may have an effect on asthma, but more research is needed in this area.
If you have bothersome asthma symptoms during your period, your doctor may recommend that you increase your asthma control medication or take a different medication before your period starts.
Next questionAsthma diet: What you eat can affect asthma symptoms
- Redmond AM, et al. Premenstrual asthma: Emphasis on drug therapy options. Journal of Asthma. 2004;41:681.
- Haggerty CL, et al. The impact of estrogen and progesterone on asthma. Annals of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. 2003;90:284.
- Gomez Real F, et al. Menstrual irregularity and asthma and lung function. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2007;120:557.
