Abstract
We studied correlation between the menstrual cycle and airway hyperreactivity of 8 menstruation related asthmatics (MRA), 15 non menstruation related asthmatics (non MRA) and 9 normal subjects. We measured peak flow rates during menstrual cycle. Next, we measured serum hormones (aldosterone, progesterone, estradiol and cortisol) by the RIA method, and airway hyperreactivity to methacholine by the Astograph method, in the menstrual period and mid cycle period. Depression of peak flow rates occurred before and during menstruation in MRA, and minimum dose theshold was reduced during the menstrual period in MRA and non MRA. It is assumed that airway hyperreactivity rises during the menstrual period in menstruated asthmatics. Aldosterone increased in MRA and non MRA during the menstrual period, so airway hyperreactivity seems to be accompanied by fluid retention. The cortisol-estradiol ratio (C/E2ratio) decreased in MRA and the progesteroneestradiol ratio (P/E2ratio) increased in non MRA, during the menstrual cycle. W e suggest that hormonal unbalance causes MRA.
