Premenstrual asthma: emphasis on drug therapy options

Premenstrual asthma is quite common, affecting up to 40% of women. Some studies suggest exacerbations of asthma requiring emergency department visits or hospitalizations are more common in the perimenstrual phase. Several drug treatment modalities for premenstrual asthma have been evaluated. Drug therapies that may be beneficial include leukotriene receptor antagonists, long acting inhaled beta2 agonists, progesterone, estradiol, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs. Further double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies are required before the optimal drug therapy for premenstrual asthma is established.