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[Samsz]

Hi,

I just wondered if anyone suffers with sinus/nasal congestion that is caused by hormones?
My head feels blocked, spacey, not mine, vision a bit blurry, can't concentrate, in a trance/daydream, like I'm not here - and lots more. I have had bouts of anxiety for years now and can usually deal with it - it is always worse when I feel congested (which I do get) as this kind of mimics the heady/spacey feeling you get with anxiety - does anyone else get anything like this?
At the start of my perimenopause approximately 3 years ago, I have had a few episodes of this being worse than usual - so like my usual anxiety made worse by congestion - but much more severe - this time I have had it for two months and it's driving me mad.
I have also felt like it would be my period (I have the coil fitted though) but I had the stomach cramps and other signs of period. So I was wondering if my sinus/weird symptoms are due to too high estrogen, too low, too high progesterone etc Everything you read says that either of those give similar symptoms! I've gone down to a 50 patch from 75 to see if this will make a difference.
Hope that makes sense as it's very hard to explain. I hope someone has some advise as I don't know what to do anymore...
Thanks, Sam

[CLKD]

Try an over the counter nasal spray? 

I've had allergic rhinitis for over 40 years, didn't associate it with hormonal upheavals.  I am slightly allergic to pet dander.   Symptoms are worse when I become warm so we ditched the duvet 15 years ago  and walking inside from the cold causes immediate snuffles, the need of lots of Kleenex etc..

Every morning I'm snuffly if I don't use the nasal spray in the evening. 

If your hormone levels are dropping then period symptoms may be present without enough to cause a regular bleed.  Mine waxed and waned for years 

What do you take for anxiety symptoms?

[Bindi]

Hi samsz
This was one of my main issues along with the headavhes and brain fog and all the other lovely stuff we tend to get and i found it got worse arpund my old cycle time as im post meno now..i used to get about 12_13 days of feeling shitty..then things would settle till the nxt 15-27 of the month..i started on some ovestin  for VA which im on every 2days gyno prescribed and the last 18mths have been so much better..i get niggly symptoms but i can tolerate them...its amazeing how our hormones effect us but ive noticed similarities from being on here and reading others storys..dont see why someone with the medical knowledge  Carn't see it 🤔🙄😔

[CLKD]

Tnx.  We R a Mine of info on here 

[bluebird68]

Around the age of 40 I had sinus problems then migraines and vomitting. Didn't realise it then but I believe this was the start on oestrogen dropping. It was miserable. Periods changing and so the journey began with different symptoms. It has improved since hrt in that area, brain fog, skin changes and emotions were all over the place. The good news is that symptoms have improved. Some of us may have it less troublesome. Hope you find the right chemistry x

[Nanookster]

Hi Samsz, this was one of my first peri symptoms. I had what felt like extreme sinus pressure between my eyes, as well as brain fog and generally a feeling of being a bit disorientated/out of it. It took many, many months of investigations, including invasive tests for MS (as the sinus pressure was so severe that it would cause a tingling/crawling feeling all over my face), only for the doctors to throw their hands up and say they didn't know what was happening. I never had a sinus infection, but my face felt, and still does feel, 'full'. HRT has lessened it a bit, but I've noticed it's got worse again recently and some tests have shown I am not absorbing my HRT anymore, so it's time to change the dosage.

I'm not sure if this is quite what you're experiencing, but it does sound similar!

[Penguin]

I got diagnosed with chronic rhinitis this time last year, in the midst of peri and having just started hrt, and directly following a cold that caused post nasal drip and sinus pressure / face pain / ear pain etc. I was given a steroid nasal spray to use daily and it worked really well to the point I stopped it about a month ago thinking I didn't need it anymore. However, now have a cold and pain back so have started it again.

I do think we can develop all sorts of allergies and intolerance in peri that weren't there before. I'm now lactose intolerant, certain things make me cough or sneeze or my eyes burn.

I would try a steroid nasal spray short term and see if it helps, then you'll know if inflammation of your sinus passages is the issues. I've found the other sprays, the ones that just dry mucous secretions up, far too drying given everything is drying out anyway. You could also try getting a sinus rinse from Boots if you have actual congestion atm. ENT consultant said use the saline rinse first, blow nose and then use the steroid spray.

[Samsz]

Hi,
Thank you all for your replies and sorry for taking ages to get back to you.

Penguin - Yes I have tried nasal sprays over the years, but they seem to make me feel jittery. They also say that when you stop then it gets even worse don't they... If after my sinus scan there is nothing they can see, I will persevere with a spray I think.

Nanookster - yes that does sound similar - it's very difficult to explain the sensation. I have had it on and off for 20 years now and just always associate it with a similar feeling to when I feel anxious (light head, full head, out of it) Does the feeling make you feel anxious? It's suddenly got much worse which is why I think the peri has enhanced it more.

Bluebird - well that sounds hopeful anyway! I've been on 50 patch now for two weeks and feel slightly better, so maybe it's high estrogen that causes it for me...

Bindi - Well it's good that you are better now...there is hope!  Yes that's what I am thinking regarding cycle, but the thing with me is that I have the coil fitted which stops any periods I may have. When your hormones are so erratic, does your cycle even go  like it should? For example I may feel I am about to get my period, but that feeling can last for say a week and then go and come back? Did the sinus congestion make you feel anxious?

CLKD - I take citalopram for my anxiety which helps with worry and dealing with stress, but not when I have this continuous heavy/dull head feeling that triggers anxiety

Thanks, Sam

[CLKD]

I've never had symptoms become worse when I stop rhinitis treatment.  "they" might be who exactly Samsz?

I also found that using a spray every day dried out the nostrils which made them sore  so every 3rd morning or evening, depending on symptoms, is enough to keep the feeling of needing to sneeze under control.

Heavy head feeling may be due to dehydration, lack of sleep, too much sleep, alcohol : walking in the wind makes me feel woozy too. 

[serene_menopause]

Hi,

I just wondered if anyone suffers with sinus/nasal congestion that is caused by hormones?
My head feels blocked, spacey, not mine, vision a bit blurry, can't concentrate, in a trance/daydream, like I'm not here - and lots more. I have had bouts of anxiety for years now and can usually deal with it - it is always worse when I feel congested (which I do get) as this kind of mimics the heady/spacey feeling you get with anxiety - does anyone else get anything like this?
At the start of my perimenopause approximately 3 years ago, I have had a few episodes of this being worse than usual - so like my usual anxiety made worse by congestion - but much more severe - this time I have had it for two months and it's driving me mad.
I have also felt like it would be my period (I have the coil fitted though) but I had the stomach cramps and other signs of period. So I was wondering if my sinus/weird symptoms are due to too high estrogen, too low, too high progesterone etc Everything you read says that either of those give similar symptoms! I've gone down to a 50 patch from 75 to see if this will make a difference.
Hope that makes sense as it's very hard to explain. I hope someone has some advise as I don't know what to do anymore...
Thanks, Sam

Yes HRT caused me tons of sinus issues !!

[shrosphirelass]

Sinus headaches were / are my main symptom and have been a constant battle. I am much better now that I have a coil, estadot and am post menopausal but still have bouts of it. It is very much like allergic rhinitis.
During the spring / summer I use Beconase nasal spray and this seems to help.