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Nasal mucosal congestion during the menstrual cycle

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

Bodil Paulsson
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, Central Hospital, Skövde, Sweden.
Thomas Gredmark
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Central Hospital, Skövde, Sweden.
Pawel Burian
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, Central Hospital, Skövde, Sweden.
Mats Bende*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Central Hospital, Skövde, Sweden.
*
Address for correspondence: Mats Bende, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Central Hospital, S-541 85 Skövde, Sweden.

Abstract

A relationship between the reactivity of the nasal mucosa and changes in female sex hormones have been debated for a long time, although no evidence has been presented to prove or disprove this relationship. Nasal patency was therefore measured by nasal expiratory peak-flow in 26 women for two months in order to study changes in nasal mucosal congestion during the menstrual cycle. In another eight women, nasal congestion was measured by acoustic rhinometry, and symptoms of nasal stuffiness were registered during periods when there were various levels of plasma oestradiol and progesterone. Finally, nasal mucosal biopsies were taken for preparation of receptors for oestradiol and progesterone. This study could not verify the effects of female sex hormones on the nasal mucosa. This could be explained by the fact that no receptors for oestradiol and progesterone were found.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1997

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