Why asthma impacts women differently: understanding realities and gaps in care

“My daughter’s asthma seems to be well in control; we can stop using the inhaler now”. This is a common statement Indian doctors hear from parents of young women. More often than not, this conversation happens because the daughter is going to get married soon, and parents are worried that her in-laws would view the use of an inhaler as an imperfection or disability. This scenario reflects a larger and often unspoken challenge about how chronic illnesses like asthma are perceived, especially in women, and how social stigma can interfere with appropriate care.