Phytoestrogen-Based Hormonal Replacement Therapy Could Benefit Women Suffering Late-Onset Asthma

It has been observed that plasmatic concentrations of estrogens, progesterone, or both correlate with symptoms in asthmatic women. Fluctuations in female sex steroid concentrations during menstrual periods are closely related to asthma symptoms, while menopause induces severe physiological changes that might require hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), that could influence asthma symptoms in these women. Late-onset asthma (LOA) has been categorized as a specific asthmatic phenotype that includes menopausal women and novel research regarding therapeutic alternatives that might provide relief to asthmatic women suffering LOA warrants more thorough and comprehensive analysis. Therefore, the present review proposes phytoestrogens as a promising HRT that might provide these females with relief for both their menopause and asthma symptoms. Besides their well-recognized anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities, phytoestrogens activate estrogen receptors and promote mild hormone-like responses that benefit postmenopausal women, particularly asthmatics, constituting therefore a very attractive potential therapy largely due to their low toxicity and scarce side effects.

Automated summary

Studies have shown that plasma concentrations of estrogens, progesterone, or both are correlated with symptoms in asthmatic women. Fluctuations in female sex steroid concentrations during menstruation are closely related to asthma symptoms, while menopause induces significant physiological changes that may necessitate hormonal replacement therapy. Late-onset asthma (LOA) is a specific asthma phenotype that includes menopausal women. Further research on therapeutic alternatives for menopausal asthmatic women suffering from LOA is needed. This review suggests phytoestrogens as a promising HRT option for relieving symptoms of menopause and asthma in these women. In addition to their well-known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, phytoestrogens activate estrogen receptors and promote mild hormone-like responses that benefit postmenopausal women, particularly those with asthma. This potential therapy is highly attractive due to its low toxicity and minimal side effects.