Asthma Is Worse for Women?
The Puberty Shift: Why asthma patterns can change dramatically between childhood and adulthood
The Puberty Shift
Asthma does not affect boys and girls in exactly the same way throughout life. During childhood, asthma is generally more common in boys. However, after puberty, this pattern changes. Asthma becomes more common among females, and adult women experience a greater burden of asthma than men.
This change is sometimes described as the “puberty shift.” Researchers believe that biological changes during puberty, including hormonal changes and differences in body development, may contribute to the changing pattern.
Read the Full ArticleWhat Happens Before and After Puberty?
👦 Before Age 15
Asthma is generally more common in boys than girls during childhood. Differences in airway size, lung development and immune responses may contribute to this pattern.
👩 After Puberty
Following puberty, the pattern reverses. Women become more likely to experience asthma than men, and asthma can place a greater health burden on adult women.
Why Does the Pattern Change?
The exact reasons for the puberty shift are complex and are still being studied. Several biological and environmental factors may interact to influence asthma risk and severity.
1. Hormonal Changes
Puberty brings major changes in sex hormones. Estrogen, progesterone and other hormonal changes may influence airway inflammation and immune-system activity. These effects may help explain why asthma patterns differ between males and females after puberty.
2. Airway and Lung Development
Boys and girls experience different patterns of lung and airway development. Changes in airway size and lung growth during childhood and adolescence can affect how asthma symptoms appear.
3. Immune and Inflammatory Responses
Asthma involves inflammation and increased sensitivity of the airways. Biological differences in immune responses may contribute to differences in asthma prevalence and severity between women and men.
4. Environmental and Lifestyle Factors
Allergens, air pollution, smoking or secondhand smoke, occupational exposures, infections and other environmental factors can influence asthma. These factors may affect people differently depending on age and biological characteristics.
Why Can Asthma Be More Serious for Adult Women?
The reversal in asthma prevalence after puberty is not simply a difference in the number of people who have the disease. Adult women can also experience more severe asthma-related outcomes.
Childhood
Asthma is generally more common among boys than girls.
Puberty
The difference begins to change as hormonal and physical development occurs.
Adulthood
Women are more likely to have asthma and can face a greater risk of serious asthma outcomes.
Asthma Symptoms to Watch For
Asthma symptoms can vary from person to person. Common symptoms include:
- Wheezing or a whistling sound while breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Recurring coughing, especially at night or early in the morning
- Breathing difficulties triggered by exercise, allergens or respiratory infections
What Does the Puberty Shift Teach Us?
The puberty shift demonstrates that asthma is not a disease that affects every age group in exactly the same way. The factors associated with asthma can change as the body develops.
Understanding these differences may help researchers and healthcare professionals recognize people who could be at greater risk and improve approaches to asthma prevention, monitoring and treatment.
For more science and health topics, explore other educational articles on The Science Online.
