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London, May 7, 2025 – A groundbreaking study involving over 260,000 women in the UK has found that taking the progesterone-only contraceptive pill may increase the risk of asthma attacks in certain groups of women with asthma. The research, published in ERJ Open Research, highlights the importance of personalized contraceptive choices for women with respiratory conditions.
The study, led by Dr. Chloe Bloom of Imperial College London, analyzed data from the UK’s Clinical Practice Research Datalink, focusing on women aged 18 to 50 who had been diagnosed with asthma. Researchers compared asthma attack rates among women who had never used the contraceptive pill with those who had started either the combined estrogen and progesterone pill or the progesterone-only pill.
Key Findings
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No Increased Risk with Combined Pill: Women taking the combined estrogen and progesterone pill did not experience a higher rate of asthma attacks.
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Higher Risk with Progesterone-Only Pill: Certain groups of women taking the progesterone-only pill saw a significant increase in asthma attacks. These included:
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Women under 35: 39% higher risk
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Women using fewer asthma medications: 20% higher risk
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Women with eosinophilic asthma (high inflammation): 24% higher risk
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Why This Matters
Asthma is more common and often more severe in women than in men, with women twice as likely to die from the condition. The study suggests that sex hormones, particularly progesterone, may play a crucial role in asthma severity-an area that has received little attention until now.
Dr. Bloom explained, “Our study is the first to look at a large group of women over time with such detailed data on both their contraceptive pill use and their medical history. This helps women and health care professionals make more informed decisions about which contraceptive pill might be best for them.”
Expert Commentary
Professor Apostolos Bossios of the European Respiratory Society, who was not involved in the research, emphasized the need for further research. “We know that women are more likely to have asthma and to suffer more severe asthma. This major study is an important step towards understanding why asthma is worse for women than men.”
He also advised, “Women with asthma who are taking the combined pill, or considering it, should speak to their doctor about their contraception options and their asthma symptoms. Whichever contraception they use, it’s vital that women with asthma use their preventer inhalers and any other prescribed treatments regularly.”
Looking Ahead
The research team is continuing to investigate the effects of sex hormones on asthma, including the impact of hormone replacement therapy and pregnancy.
More information:
Bohee Lee et al, Oral contraceptives and the risk of asthma attacks: a population-based cohort study, ERJ Open Research (2025). DOI: 10.1183/23120541.01278-2024
Disclaimer:
This article is based on a recent scientific study and is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding contraception and asthma management. For the original study, visit ERJ Open Research.
Source: Medical Xpress, May 7, 2025
Read original article here.
