A recent study presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna has shed light on the link between asthma and reproductive health in women.
According to the findings, women undergoing asthma treatment are more likely to experience miscarriages and require fertility treatments to conceive. Despite these challenges, the study suggests that most women with asthma can still have babies.
EXPLORING ASTHMA’S IMPACT ON REPRODUCTION
The research, led by Dr. Anne Vejen Hansen from the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark, aimed to examine fertility outcomes on a national scale. Previous studies had shown that women with asthma took longer to get pregnant and had higher rates of fertility treatment. However, most of these studies only focused on women who eventually became pregnant.
Dr. Hansen’s team analyzed reproductive outcomes for 769,880 Danish women, born between 1976 and 1999, and followed them from 1994 to 2017. Women who used anti-asthma medication regularly were classified as asthmatic.
KEY FINDINGS: ASTHMA AND INCREASED MISCARRIAGE RISK
The study found that women with asthma faced a higher risk of foetal loss compared to women without asthma. The miscarriage rate was 17.0% in asthmatic women versus 15.7% in non-asthmatic women. Additionally, 5.6% of women with asthma needed fertility treatment, compared to 5.0% of those without asthma.
The need for fertility treatment was more pronounced in women with severe asthma or frequent flare-ups. Dr. Hansen suggests that the increased risk could be due to systemic inflammation affecting women’s reproductive organs, though the exact cause remains unclear.
ASTHMA DOES NOT AFFECT LIVE BIRTH RATES
Despite the higher rates of miscarriage and fertility treatment, the study provides a reassuring finding: the proportion of women who eventually gave birth was 77% for both asthmatic and non-asthmatic women. This indicates that, while asthma may delay conception or lead to complications, it does not reduce the likelihood of having a live birth.
Professor Lena Uller, Chair of the ERS group on Airway Pharmacology and Treatment and Head of the Respiratory Immunopharmacology research group at Lund University, Sweden, shared her thoughts on the study’s findings.
“It’s reassuring that women seem to have the same live birth rate regardless of their asthma,” Uller said. However, she emphasized that women with asthma should consider potential reproductive challenges when planning their families. “If women with asthma are worried about their fertility, they should speak to their doctor,” she advised.
IMPORTANCE OF ASTHMA MANAGEMENT
A significant aspect of the study was the correlation between the severity of asthma and reproductive challenges. Women with more severe asthma and frequent flare-ups were more likely to encounter fertility issues, suggesting that uncontrolled asthma plays a role in these complications.
Better Asthma Control Equals Better Reproductive Health
Professor Uller highlighted the importance of managing asthma, particularly in women of reproductive age. “The fact that the more severe the asthma, the more problems with fertility, suggests that uncontrolled asthma is the issue,” she said. “We should be helping women to get their asthma under control.”
FUTURE RESEARCH: MALE ASTHMA AND FERTILITY
In addition to the current findings, Dr. Hansen and her team plan to explore whether asthma in men affects fertility outcomes. “We also plan to investigate the possible effect of male asthma on fertility,” she explained. A similar registry-based study is already in the pipeline.
ASTHMA, INFLAMMATION, AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH: THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
While the study presents important data, several questions remain unanswered. One of the key speculations is that systemic inflammation caused by asthma may play a role in affecting reproductive health. Asthma, particularly when severe, can cause widespread inflammation in the body, including the reproductive organs.
Inflammation’s Role in Pregnancy and Fertility
This systemic inflammation could interfere with pregnancy, either by making it harder to conceive or by increasing the risk of miscarriage. However, more research is needed to confirm this theory and to understand exactly how asthma and inflammation interact with the reproductive system.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR WOMEN WITH ASTHMA
For women with asthma who are planning a family, the study’s findings offer both challenges and reassurance. While asthma may present obstacles, it does not seem to prevent most women from eventually having children. Here are some practical takeaways for women with asthma considering pregnancy:
- Consult Your Doctor Early: If you’re concerned about asthma and fertility, talk to your healthcare provider early in the planning process. They can help you manage your asthma effectively.
- Monitor Your Symptoms: Asthma symptoms may fluctuate during pregnancy. Keeping your asthma under control is crucial for both your health and your baby’s.
- Family Planning Considerations: Women with asthma may need fertility treatments or face a slightly higher risk of miscarriage, but the overall live birth rate remains consistent with non-asthmatic women.
