Nasal mucosal congestion during the menstrual cycle

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Endocrinology
• Rhinology

Background:

• The potential influence of female sex hormones on nasal mucosal reactivity has been a long-standing hypothesis.
• However, empirical evidence supporting or refuting this relationship remains scarce.
• Understanding this connection could offer insights into hormonal influences on respiratory tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between the menstrual cycle and nasal mucosal congestion in women.
• To determine if changes in plasma oestradiol and progesterone levels correlate with nasal stuffiness.
• To examine the presence of oestradiol and progesterone receptors in nasal mucosal biopsies.

Main Methods:

• Nasal patency was assessed using nasal expiratory peak-flow measurements in 26 women over two months.
• Nasal congestion was measured via acoustic rhinometry and symptom registration in eight women.
• Nasal mucosal biopsies were analyzed for the presence of oestradiol and progesterone receptors.

Main Results:

• No significant changes in nasal mucosal congestion were observed during different phases of the menstrual cycle.
• Nasal congestion and stuffiness symptoms did not correlate with varying plasma oestradiol and progesterone levels.
• Oestradiol and progesterone receptors were not detected in the nasal mucosal biopsies.

Conclusions:

• The study failed to establish a link between female sex hormones and nasal mucosal reactivity.
• The absence of detectable oestradiol and progesterone receptors in nasal tissues may explain the lack of hormonal influence.
• Further research may explore alternative mechanisms or tissues if hormonal effects on nasal mucosa are suspected.