Severe acute asthma and the menstrual cycle

Three cases of severe acute asthma associated with menstruation are reported. All required admission to an intensive therapy unit and intermittent positive pressure ventilation of the lungs for one week or more. Several bronchodilator drugs and anaesthetic agents were employed in an effort to reduce the severe bronchospasm. In each case, improvement appeared to coincide with the end of menstruation. An awareness of the association of asthma and menstruation by those involved in intensive therapy may help in the management of similar cases.