Why asthma is more common in women
Covid-19 is showing what has often been ignored in the world of science: the biological differences between men and women matter and can affect how we respond to disease.
For people with asthma this translates into stark figures.
Between 2014-18, 70% of asthma deaths in the UK were women
For years we’ve known that asthma is more prevalent among females starting at puberty. During menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, many women have reported negative and positive changes in their asthma symptoms. But until now, there has been little insight into why that is, or whether being a woman or a man could affect how best to manage your asthma.
Asthma UK & the British Lung Foundation Partnership sought to drive a better understanding of why asthma is more prevalent among women and why symptoms are often worse
At a recent virtual meeting we brought together scientists from across the world for a workshop to explore what is happening at these key points in a woman’s life, and what might be done about it.
The scientists shared the role of sex hormones on asthma. Sex hormones, such as progesterone, drive important differences between men and women including our reproductive systems, but they may also worsen triggers of asthma.
Conversely, sex hormones that are more dominant in men, such as testosterone, could play a protective role, stopping the impact of triggers.
We also had the privilege of hearing from Olivia, who has severe asthma, and who laid bare the reality of wanting the option of treatments that could change her life. Olivia also shared the story of her friend who, every month, as her menstrual cycle starts, ends up in hospital with significant asthma symptoms.
To change the lives of millions of women with asthma, we’ll be working with academics, industry and major funders to set out how to radically improve our understanding of the role of sex hormones and explore what treatments might be developed.
With your support, we aim to support more research and innovation in this area and prevent the appalling disparity in outcomes for women with asthma.
Imagine a world with no asthma helpline, no research and where asthma has no voice.
As a charity, Asthma UK provides free health advice to millions, we fight for the rights of people with asthma in the corridors of power and we fund ground-breaking research.
COVID-19 has devastated our ability to raise vital funds, so if you've benefited from our free health advice, think asthma needs a voice or believe in asthma research, we need your support now more than ever.
To show how much you care about people with asthma, if you can please make a small donation today. Your support now will be an investment for improving the future for everyone with asthma in the UK.
