Asthma and Menopause: Experts Call for Greater Awareness of Women’s Respiratory Health
22 Jun 2026
A new campaign from Asthma Australia, called She Needs to Breathe, aims to raise awareness of how hormonal changes throughout a woman's life can affect asthma symptoms and management.
The campaign launches as Australia experiences a seasonal rise in respiratory illnesses during winter and highlights an often-overlooked link between asthma and key life stages such as puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause.
According to Asthma Australia, women account for 61% of Australian adults living with asthma, with approximately one in five adult women affected by the condition.
Fronting the campaign is Liz Ellis, who shared that despite living with asthma throughout her sporting career, pregnancy, fertility treatment, and menopause, she was never informed about the impact hormonal changes could have on her asthma symptoms.
Health experts say asthma often changes across different stages of a woman's life due to hormonal fluctuations. Women are hospitalised for asthma at higher rates than men and are approximately twice as likely to die from the condition.
Kate Miranda said many women may not realise that worsening asthma symptoms during hormonal transitions could be linked to changes occurring in their bodies.
She encouraged women to discuss any changes in asthma symptoms with their healthcare provider, particularly during puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, or menopause.
The campaign also aligns with the Australian Government’s broader focus on women’s health, including recent investments in menopause care through the national Women’s Health Package.
Rebecca White said improving women’s health outcomes requires greater recognition of the health conditions that affect women throughout different life stages.
Experts hope the campaign will increase awareness, encourage earlier conversations with healthcare professionals, and improve asthma management for women across Australia.
Asthma and Menopause: Experts Call for Greater Awareness of Women’s Respiratory Health
Source: Asthma Australia – She Needs to Breathe Campaign Announcement