The human nasal mucosa in the menopause (a histochemical and electron microscopic study)

Ten menopausal females were studied. Histopathologically, the nasal mucosa was normal, except for the tunical glands which were reduced in number, more localized and showed hyperfunction. Histochemically, there was an increased activity of succinic dehydrogenase, alpha esterase, acid and alkaline phosphatase and choline esterase, indicating an increase in carbohydrate metabolism, lipid breakdown, phagocytic activity, vascularity, secretory activity and parasympathetic hyperactivity which may be responsible for these changes, reflecting the emotional disturbances common in the menopause. These changes were not related to the ovarian steroid hormones. The change in the PAS stain was due to the low estrogen blood level.