Does hormone replacement therapy in post-menopausal women have any effect upon nasal physiology?

Abstract

Female hormone replacement therapy has no discernable effect upon nasal physiology and should not be considered a cause of rhinitic symptoms.

Loss of smell but not taste in adult women with Turner's syndrome and other congenital hypogonadisms

“…Some studies have reported that nasal physiology and smell sensitivity are influenced by the menstrual cycle phases, pregnancy or hormone contraceptives [3,[20][21][22]. However, more recent publications could not find significant differences in olfactory function between women with different hormonal status [23][24][25]. The mechanisms by which sexual hormones influence the sense of smell are poorly understood.…”

Clinical Presentation and Management of Geriatric Rhinitis

“…As described previously, hormone-replacement ther apy did not result in the improvement of nasal airway dimensions, mucociliary clearance or rhinitis quality of life questionnaire scores in postmenopausal women [51]. However, postmenopausal women who received 8 months of either oral or transdermal patch hormone therapy (estrogen and progesterone) demonstrated lower airway resistance, decreased olfactory thresholds and greater olfactory sensitivity [84].…”

“…It has been established that progesterone and estrogen receptors are present in the nasal mucosa and that the number of estrogen b-receptor-positive cells in the mucosal glands correlate with nasal symptoms [50]. Although withdrawal of estrogen is thought to have atrophic effects on nasal mucosa, no change was found in a number of physiologic parameters with hormone therapy, either for replacement therapy or for in vitro fertilization [51,52].…”

The prevalence and clinical features of hormonal rhinitis (a review of literature)

“…По данным литерату ры, ухудшение носового дыхания и обоняния может отмечаться при использовании гормональных кон трацептивов [8,17]. Наряду с этим применение про гестерона и глюкокортикоидов при изменении гор монального статуса у беременных, а также замести тельная гормональная терапия у пациенток в пост менопаузе не выявили заметного влияния на разви тие симптомов ринита [18,19].…”