May is Asthma and Allergies Awareness Month, and it arrives right at the peak of allergy season — making it the ideal time to talk about how these conditions uniquely affect women. While allergies and asthma are often thought of as general health issues, the reality is that hormones, reproductive health, and life stage can all significantly influence how these conditions develop, worsen, or improve over time. At Unified Premier Women’s Care, we believe that understanding your body fully means looking at how all of these systems connect.
“Dr. Goh is always warm, caring and efficient.”
Unified Premier Women’s Care
Why Women Experience Allergies and Asthma Differently
Here’s something that may surprise you: asthma is more common in boys during childhood, but by adulthood, the numbers flip. Women are more likely than men to have asthma, to be hospitalized for it, and to die from it. Researchers believe this disparity is largely driven by the hormonal differences between the sexes and the hormonal fluctuations women experience across their lifetimes.
Estrogen and progesterone — the two primary female sex hormones — both interact with the respiratory and immune systems in ways that can heighten sensitivity to allergens and increase airway inflammation. This means the same environmental triggers that might cause mild symptoms in one person can produce a much stronger reaction in a woman whose hormones are in flux.
The Menstrual Cycle and Respiratory Symptoms
Many women notice that their allergy and asthma symptoms worsen at predictable points in their cycle. This is not imaginary. Research has documented what some clinicians call “perimenstrual asthma,” a pattern in which symptoms spike in the days just before and during menstruation. This corresponds with the sharp drop in progesterone that occurs at the end of the luteal phase, which can trigger airway inflammation and increased bronchial sensitivity.
If you track your symptoms and notice a pattern tied to your cycle, that information is worth bringing to your provider. It can help guide treatment decisions, including whether hormonal factors need to be part of your overall management plan.
Pregnancy: A Time of Significant Respiratory Change
Pregnancy is one of the most dynamic periods for asthma management. Roughly one-third of women with asthma see their symptoms improve during pregnancy, one-third stay about the same, and one-third experience a noticeable worsening — particularly during the second trimester. The increased demands on the respiratory system, combined with the immune shifts that accompany pregnancy, can make asthma less predictable during this time.
The most important thing to understand is this: uncontrolled asthma during pregnancy carries real risks, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia. Many women hesitate to use their asthma medications during pregnancy out of concern for the baby, but the greater risk is leaving asthma undertreated. Most asthma medications used in pregnancy have well-established safety profiles, and your OB/GYN can work with you to find an approach that protects both you and your baby.
If you have asthma and are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, make sure your provider knows. It should be an active part of your prenatal care conversations.
Menopause and the Shifting Allergy Landscape
Just as puberty can trigger the onset or worsening of allergies and asthma in some women, menopause can bring its own respiratory changes. The decline in estrogen during perimenopause and menopause has been associated with increased airway inflammation and, in some women, the new onset of asthma even without a prior history. Conversely, some women find that their allergy symptoms become less intense after menopause as immune reactivity shifts.
Every woman’s experience is different, but the key takeaway is the same: if your allergy or asthma symptoms change significantly around the time of perimenopause, hormonal factors may be playing a role. Hormone therapy, if appropriate for you, may also influence respiratory symptoms — something worth discussing with your provider.
Practical Steps for Managing Allergies and Asthma Year-Round
Regardless of where you are in life, there are concrete steps you can take to reduce the burden of allergies and asthma on your daily wellbeing.
Know your triggers. Common allergens include pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander, and certain foods. Identifying and reducing your exposure to your personal triggers is foundational to good symptom management.
Don’t skip your medications. Both antihistamines for allergies and controller medications for asthma work best when used consistently, not just when symptoms are already bad. If side effects or cost are barriers, talk to your provider about alternatives.
Keep indoor air clean. Use HEPA air filters, vacuum regularly, and keep windows closed during high pollen days. These simple environmental controls can make a meaningful difference.
Monitor your symptoms. Keeping a symptom diary — noting time of month, weather conditions, and potential exposures — can help you and your provider spot patterns and adjust your treatment plan accordingly.
Stay current on your care. If your asthma has been stable for a while, it can be tempting to let follow-up appointments slide. But regular check-ins allow your provider to reassess your management plan as your body changes over time.
“Wonderful doctor who cares about her patients. Dr. Cauthen takes time with her patients to answer all questions.”
Unified Premier Women’s Care
Your OB/GYN Is Part of Your Respiratory Health Team
Allergies and asthma may not seem like traditional OB/GYN territory, but as your body’s hormones shift through every phase of life, your women’s health provider is uniquely positioned to recognize how those changes are affecting your breathing, your immune response, and your overall quality of life.
If your symptoms have been getting worse, if you’re pregnant and managing asthma, or if you simply have questions about how your hormonal health may be connected to how you breathe, we want to hear from you.
Unified Premier Women’s Care is here for the full picture of your health. Call us at (770) 427-0285 or visit us at unifiedpremierwomenscare.com to schedule your appointment.