Can hormones cause sinus problems? Yes, you have read the question right.
According to a statistics report, around 10 – 30% of Americans and Europeans suffer from sinusitis every year. The percentage of chronic patients is also terrible, about 12.5%.
Unfortunately, most people struggling with the sinus have no idea of the root of this condition. Hence, they decide to cope with this horrible pain and make peace anyway.
If you can get to the real reason for your sinus block, you can eliminate it. Today, I will tell you how hormonal changes can lead to sinus problems, which most people ignore.
Can Hormone Imbalance Cause Sinus Problems?
As I have said, sinuses and hormones share a link that you can not ignore. Studies conducted over the years have claimed that sinus and nasal blocks can be due to hormonal imbalances. Primary hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, etc., play the master roles here. Supplements like testosterone boosters may offer some relief!
People experience the rise and drop of these hormones with growing age and around a few specific events. Take menopause or pregnancy as examples.
During these periods, ladies go through a roller coaster ride of estrogen and progesterone. The hormonal fluctuation causes changes in blood vessels, which also affects the nasal passage. Therefore, women experience nose congestion and sinus block during pregnancy and menopause.
Call +1-424-283-4273 Or Click Here to Send Us Email
In the upcoming sections, you will get a deeper insight into the hormones and sinus problems.
Can Hormones Cause Sinus Problems?
Hormones indeed can cause sinus problems. In most cases, the suffering arises as nasal congestion, a sign of sinusitis. Moreover, different researchers have pointed out a link between this hormone-induced sinus issue and allergic reactions.
A stuffy nose or nasal drip (Rhinitis) can be due to a common cold allergy. But then again, there is a higher chance that the sinusitis infection is behind all these struggles with nose congestion.
As per statistics, more than 60 million Americans go through rhinitis because of non-allergic reactions. On the contrary, aging and hormonal imbalance affect 30 million with this stuffy or runny nose condition.
Rhinitis due to allergen is rare. But do you know the hormonal changes can instigate an allergic reaction in your body? Recently, researchers have approached the stuffy nose condition differently.
They claim that the fluctuation of hormones, especially sex hormones, can develop allergic symptoms in the body. Eventually, the chain of reactions leads to a runny or stuffy nose.
As mentioned, sex hormones, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, etc., are mainly responsible for the sinus issue. In females, the surge of estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy and menopause influence sinus problems. On the other hand, it is testosterone for men that affects sinusitis.
How come sex hormones cause your nasal congestion or sinus block? Well, it is because the capabilities of these hormones are not only limited to reproduction. These messengers can impact the immunity system by triggering inflammatory progression. Therefore, you suffer from the trouble-breathing or nose dripping.
Can Drastic Hormonal Change Cause Sinus Problems?
Drastic hormonal changes can cause sinus problems. Such phenomenon is common in women during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Men also fall victim to this cause with their growing age and falling testosterone level.
There are several reasons why someone suffers from sinus problems. Irritation, smoking, cold allergies, and virus attack are some of the traditional causes of sinusitis. In most cases, people overlook another common factor that triggers rhinitis, a sign of sinus. Yes, hormone fluctuation.
Studies have proved that the sudden and frequent hormones changes might induce allergic reactions in both males and females. Eventually, the allergies cause nasal dripping, stuffy nose, or sinus block.
Women undergo hormonal fluctuation in their ovulation cycle, pregnancy period, and the menopausal transition. Therefore, there is a higher chance for them to experience nasal obstructions during those events.
The link between nasal blockage or dripping and menstruation is well established. Scientists have conducted enough experiments to prove the fact. According to them, estrogen is to blame here.
This sex hormone reaches its peak during ovulation and pregnancy trimester. Such events prompt mucus production, nasal swelling, and inflammation, and hence, the sufferings continue. However, the nasal obstructions take leave as soon as the cycle passes.
The opposite happens during the menopausal transition. It all starts with the falling of estrogen. Mucous membranes in the sinus area dry out with the sudden dive of this sex hormone. The insufficient production of mucus highers the risk of sinus infection and nasal congestion
Again, the roller coaster ride of sex hormones also weakens the immune system. The low immunity makes the women prone to sinus infection and rhinitis during menopause. As a part of the sinusitis, the ladies also suffer from migraine.
Hence, the drastic hormone fluctuation triggers sinus issues in women.
Though drastic hormonal changes are not common in men, they experience a fall in the male hormone with aging. In other words, you can say testosterone has a direct link to nasal obstruction.
Scientists have found that a low testosterone level causes allergic reactions in males. Eventually, these symptoms lead to nasal block or runny nose. As you all know, rhinitis is a warning sign for sinus in most cases.
Therefore, the link between sinus problems and hormones is well established in both males and females.
If you are unsure if the symptoms you are having are related to hormone imbalances, please Book Consultation either in person or virtual with our hormone specialist today. Let us help you diagnose hormone imbalances and treat it.
Hormones And Sinus Problems: Road To Recovery
What if you are suffering from sinus block due to hormones? What do you do then? How do you get rid of nasal congestion caused by hormones? Luckily, a bunch of treatments are available at this point. So let’s talk about them, one by one.
Steam Off The Block
Steaming is one of the most effective ways of dealing with nasal congestion. It might be time-consuming, but the result will put an end to your pain.
The whole steaming process is relatively easy. First, pour a few drops of essential oil into a bowl of steaming hot water. Now, put a towel over your head, breathe gently, and take as much steam as possible.
Go Natural
Practitioners always suggest trying the ancient ways of decongestion before taking any OTC drug. These meds often come with unpleasant side effects like dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, etc. Neti pot can be at your rescue here. They are widely available at any store, and still, if you can not find one, use the nasal irrigator as an alternative.
Flush your stuffy nasal passage with a mid-salty water solution. The stores sell these saline mixtures, but you definitely can make it on your own. Here is the ingredient list,
- 1/4 teaspoon of iodized table salt
- Pinch of baking soda
- One cup of distilled water
Remember, you can not prepare the saline rinse with regular salt and tap water. It will cause inflammation and raise the risk of bacterial infection. Flushing the nose twice a day will de-clog the mucus, and you will be breathing okay.
Spray It Out
Nasal sprays work magic in the nose block due to sinusitis. Use the spray directly into the nose, and there you go! You are more comfortable breathing again. However, the sprays have baggage.
In most cases, the benefits of a nasal spray are temporary and last only for a few hours. People often get hooked on these supplements, which might pose a health hazard later.
Some Foods Are A Nay
Surprisingly, high salicylate and histamine foods are prone to trigger sinusitis reactions.
Experts often include dairy and refined sugar in this avoidable food category. If your nasal or sinus block occurs after a specific diet, say no to those meals.
Left With Drug
I understand if none of these remedies works for you. However, seeking medical help is a must in chronic states. The practitioner will suggest drugs or steroids for improving the condition and easing the pain.
Final Thought
So, can hormones cause sinus problems? By now, you know they can. In fact, the hormone, allergic reactions, and the sinus are somehow connected.
Hence, from next on, whenever you experience a sinus block, do not blame the cold or your lifestyle. Instead, look at your menstrual calendar or the chances of having a hormonal imbalance and act likewise.
