ASTHMA AND MENSTRUATION - THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BRONCHIAL HYPERREACTIVITY

The aim of this study was to investigate a possible interrelation betw een bronchial hyperreactivity and psychological hyperreactivity. In or der to record changes in both bronchial and psychological reactions th roughout the menstrual cycle, 10 women outpatients with moderate asthm a were followed up for six months, and their physical and psychologica l status as well as their reactions to life-events and environmental i nfluences were assessed through self-reporting measures and weekly psy chotherapeutic sessions. Psychotherapy was used both as a supplement t o the medical treatment and as a method of data collection. A relation ship between lowered resistance to stress, lowered resistance to infec tions and increased bronchial hyperreactivity is suggested as backgrou nd aetiological factors for the exacerbation of asthma around menstrua tion.