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A new study reveals that women entering menopause at a later age may face an increased risk of asthma. Contrarily, women who experience early menopause (between the ages of 40 and 44) have a lower risk of developing asthma, according to research led by Durmalouk Kesibi from York University in Toronto. These findings challenge prior research indicating that early menopause can heighten a woman’s vulnerability to various health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and depression. Instead, the current study underscores a potential link between female hormones and asthma risk.

Asthma, a respiratory condition that often affects children and adults differently, appears to be influenced by hormonal changes in women. For instance, boys are more likely to experience childhood asthma compared to girls; however, adult-onset asthma is more commonly observed in women than men. Additionally, women with asthma tend to experience more severe symptoms, with fewer cases going into remission than seen in men. Dr. Stephanie Faubion, Medical Director for The Menopause Society, emphasized the gender-related discrepancies in asthma prevalence, noting that women entering menopause later in life face higher asthma risks than those with earlier menopause onset.

The study, conducted over a decade with data from more than 14,000 postmenopausal women, also examined the role of estrogen in asthma. Researchers observed that both natural and synthetic estrogen could elevate asthma risk. Furthermore, women using hormone therapy were found to have a 63% greater chance of developing asthma. Discontinuing hormone therapy, however, appeared beneficial, as women who stopped were twice as likely to discontinue asthma treatment as well.

Obesity also emerged as a contributing factor in asthma risk among postmenopausal women, as higher body mass index (BMI) can lead to greater estrogen production due to excess fat. This increase in estrogen could further raise asthma risk for women with higher BMI levels.

Given these findings, women approaching menopause or undergoing hormone therapy should be aware of their potential increased asthma risk. Regular monitoring and preventative measures can help mitigate this risk and improve respiratory health.

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