Perimenopause and horrid ear issues!

[Sleepy21]

I recently posted about onset of tinnitus which I was told by ENT was likely triggered by a viral infection, however I am 42 and my GP and I think I may be in perimenopause due to a variety of symptoms - anxiety, waking in the night and not getting back to sleep, cycles getting shorter, getting hot very quickly, occasional night sweats, brain fog, hormonal headaches. However, I have read that problems with ears is also a symptom and I have had endless issues since April - blocked ears, tinnitus, pressure, occasional pain. I have had antibiotics and steroids as for the sinus symptoms and pressure in the face, and throat. Those symptoms have now gone but still having problems with ears feeling blocked and full, and tinnitus.

Has anybody experienced this in peri-menopause and did HRT help or make it worse? Grateful for anybody’s experiences!

Hi OP, thanks for this.

I don’t have experience but am ‘clocking up’ the symptoms I am experiencing in readiness to make a GP appointment. I am sure I am in peri-menopause but not consulted anyone yet.

I’ve been experiencing ear issues (tinnitus, feeling blocked, occasional pain) since the spring too. I hadn’t even considered it might be another one to add to my growing list.

I’ll watch here with great interest - thank you for posting and I hope you find a way forward.

Oh!! Yes I had blocked ears for the first time ever (46 and in peri) recently. And have had them since! So horrid. but until I saw your post had not connected the two things (peri / blockages). I did buy one of those ear camera things from amazon with an app that you connect to your phone. you have to be super careful with it but it does help. And save some ££ vs going to get them suctioned.

I am menopause and the hissing with distant high pitched ring is bad some days, today being one of them. I read a drop in estrogen causes it.

I am peri and get pain / discomfort in my ears often.

Before starting on HRT i had really dry ears with dry wax in them, the wax became compressed and i had an episode of vertigo. I could literally feel/ hear the wax 'crackling' in my ears. I had them micro-suctioned which was a big help and the nurse commented on how unusually dry the wax was.

The dryness and itching continued even after I started HRT, being one of the symptoms that continued to flair up cyclically, i tried olive oil with no improvement, hydrocortisone cream on a cotton bud - short term relief.
What sorted it has been a high enough does of HRT and MCT (liquid) coconut oil (in an olive oil ear spray bottle). I've also heard of people using ovestin cream on a cotton bud, but i had got things under control by the time i found this idea.

It is a form of invisible torture!!

Thanks all - sorry to hear everyone experiencing ear problems but def seems likely perimenopause is a factor! My gp didn’t seem convinced, and although I imagine viruses haven’t helped with my ears the fact that I’ve had problems since April without much relief suggests something else at play..

can I just ask @Periperi2025 is the olive oil ear spray bottle an official product that you have just refilled with MCT oil? if so which one did you buy? I'd love to get a refillable ear spray, but not sure if ones you buy OTC can be refilled or not?

I’m 54, perimenopausal, and I have had tinnitus for about three years. I’ve seen an audiologist and had an MRI and nothing physical was found. After this I looked more into it and found tinnitus mentioned with regard to menopause. I think my tinnitus is caused by perimenopause as it seems to have started around the same time I noticed brain fog. Two weeks ago I started HRT. I haven’t noticed any difference with anything yet though.

I bloody hate the tinnitus.

It's just a Cl-ear olive oil ear spray bottle that i have been refilling.

@Periperi2025 thank you! that was super helpful. I now have a refillable Cl-ear spray bottle, will probably save me lots ongoing in single use sprays... 😀