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In a recent study published in Menopause, the journal of The Menopause Society, researchers uncovered a link between later onset of menopause and an increased risk of asthma in women. While early menopause has long been associated with adverse health outcomes, this study sheds light on the potential risks posed by delayed menopause, particularly in relation to respiratory health.
Asthma affects over 300 million people worldwide, and while it is more common in boys during childhood, the pattern shifts significantly after puberty, with higher asthma prevalence among women. Not only are women more likely to develop asthma in adulthood, but they also tend to experience more severe cases and are less likely to achieve remission compared to men.
Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director of The Menopause Society, emphasized the importance of these findings for healthcare providers. “This study highlights sex-based differences in asthma, with women at a greater risk for asthma than men in adulthood,” she noted. “It also showed that women with later onset of menopause are at greater risk than those with early onset of menopause.” Faubion urged clinicians to closely monitor asthma symptoms in women experiencing menopause at an older age.
The study, which followed over 14,000 postmenopausal women for 10 years, points to both natural and synthetic estrogen as potential factors contributing to the increased asthma risk. Women who began menopause between the ages of 40 and 44 appeared to have a reduced asthma risk, suggesting a protective effect in cases of early menopause. However, those using hormone therapy faced a 63% increase in asthma risk, with individuals who discontinued hormone therapy being twice as likely to quit asthma treatment.
In addition to age at menopause, body mass index (BMI) was another risk factor. Higher BMI, often linked to excess fat that produces estrogen, was found to contribute to asthma risk in women but not men, highlighting a unique interaction between hormone levels and asthma in females.
These findings add to the growing body of research exploring the connection between hormones and asthma, particularly adult-onset asthma in women. They underscore the importance of personalized asthma management, considering both hormonal factors and gender-specific risks.
