Nasal Symptoms and Hormonal Influences in Pregnancy
Summary
Pregnancy is accompanied by profound endocrine adaptations that extend beyond reproductive tissues to affect the upper respiratory mucosa. Rising concentrations of oestrogen and progesterone promote vascular engorgement, glandular hypertrophy and enhanced mucous secretion in the nasal passages. These changes manifest clinically as nasal congestion, rhinorrhoea, sneezing and a sensation of pressure or fullness. In many individuals, symptoms begin in the first trimester and peak in the third, although onset and severity vary widely. Hormone‐driven mucosal oedema may also impair Eustachian tube function, leading to aural pressure, transient hearing changes and an elevated risk of middle‐ear effusion. While non‐allergic mechanisms dominate, pregnancy can exacerbate underlying allergic rhinitis, compounding symptom burden. Nasal obstruction during gestation has implications for maternal sleep quality, daytime fatigue and, in severe cases, systemic blood pressure regulation. Understanding the interplay of sex steroids, local inflammatory mediators and neural reflexes is vital to optimise antenatal care, guide safe pharmacotherapy and improve quality of life for expectant mothers worldwide.
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Nasal Symptoms and Hormonal Influences in Pregnancy publication trend
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Technical terms
Pregnancy rhinitis: a non-allergic nasal congestion syndrome triggered by hormonal changes in pregnancy.
Rhinomanometry: an objective technique for measuring nasal airway resistance and airflow during quiet breathing.
Eustachian tube patency: the openness of the tube connecting middle ear and nasopharynx, critical for pressure equalisation.
Vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors (VPAC1/VPAC2): mucosal receptors up-regulated by sex steroids, implicated in fluid secretion and vasodilation.
Tympanometry: an audiological test that evaluates middle ear compliance and pressure via changes in eardrum movement.
References
- Objective Measurements of Nasal Obstruction and Eustachian Tube Function in Pregnant Women. Journal of Clinical Medicine (2024).
- Role of VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors in the etiology of pregnancy rhinitis: an experimental study in rats. Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology (2020).
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