Effect of Hormonal fluctuations on asthma and rhinitis during the menstrual cycle

<bold>Introduction:</bold> The aim of this study is to research the link between hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and the control of asthma and rhinitis. <bold>Materials and methods:</bold> Prospective descriptive study of 93 non menopausal women treated for asthma and rhinitis. They benefited from dosing of progesterone and Estradiol during the 3rd and 5th menstrual cycle, the 19th and 21st and in premenstruation phase between the 26th and 28th due to of the existence of asthma exacerbation during premenstruation in certain asthmatics. Prick tests for the usual allergens were carried out in 65 patients. <bold>Results:</bold> Patients aged between 16 and 45 years with an average age of 33.81±9.31 years. Most patients are either overweight or obese in 64.2%. Rhinitis is moderate to severe in 54.83%. Exacerbation of asthma during premenstruation was found in 42.1%. Asthma is uncontrolled in 58.05%, and it was associated with moderate to severe rhinitis in 63.6% (p=0.81). Skin tests were positive in only 52.3% of patients. Uncontrolled asthma is significantly associated with high level of estradiol during the premenstrual phase. As for moderate to severe rhinitis, it is accompanied by a high level of progesterone during the luteal phase. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> The non-allergic nature of almost patients suggests the role of hormones on asthma and rhinitis. The pro-inflammatory role of hormones at high levels can maintain inflammation and uncontrolled asthma and rhinitis. Inflammation is promoted by two factors: obesity and high estrogen levels, one of which can feed into the other. Obesity stimulate inflammation and including the excessive production of estradiol by significant adipose tissue.