Asthma Can Be More Severe in Women Than in Men

Women are more likely to have asthma than men—and it can be more severe.

Dr. Albert Polito, medical director for the Lung Center at Mercy Medical Center in downtown Baltimore, explained why asthma affects women more than men and how to take care of yourself.

"It absolutely is more common in boys versus girls, and then you get to puberty. And, when puberty hits, the shift happens. So, we know that there has to be something hormonal involved in this," Dr. Polito said.

"Some studies have shown that with the onset of menopause, there's actually an uptick in the diagnoses of asthma, that maybe there's something about estrogen, which we know falls in menopause, that's protective," Dr. Polito added.

Peggy Harris said that her asthma came on just a few years ago.

"I was just getting some renovations in my house done—floors and the dust and everything—so, I was like, 'Oh, man, I'm not feeling well.' I was wheezing and felt tight in the chest," Harris said.

According to Dr. Polito, not only are hormonal changes a factor, but women have smaller lungs, too. Genetics and environmental exposures also come into play, but, like other conditions, patients need to stay on top of their medications.

"I tell people, 'Think about asthma like you think about your high blood pressure: get up every day and you take your high blood pressure medication. You don't know what your blood pressure is, but you have to take it,'" Dr. Polito said.

Harris, who loves being outside, said it makes a difference when you stay on top of asthma.

"If I follow through like I'm supposed to, then, yes, it's better," Harris said.

View Mercy pulmonologist Dr. Albert J. Polito’s interview regarding women and asthma.