NASAL MUCOSAL CONGESTION DURING THE MENSTRUAL-CYCLE

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. Na sal patency was therefore measured by nasal expiratory peak-flow in 26 women for two months in order to study changes in nasal mucosal conge stion during the menstrual cycle. In another eight women, nasal conges tion was measured by acoustic rhinometry, and symptoms of nasal stuffi ness were registered during periods when there were various levels of plasma oestradiol and progesterone. Finally, nasal mucosal biopsies we re 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 f or oestradiol and progesterone were found.