Anyone else had this as a peri/menopause symptom?

[abouttoturn50]

So about a year ago I had a sinus infection, I'm not new to those had a few over the years, but this one didn't go with antibiotics! I had 3 months of thick discoloured mucus which only exited down the back of my throat! My nose was hardly ever blocked and I could only get rid of it by hacking it up (sorry!).

Daily antihistamines (fexofenadine 180) are what finally got rid of that part but I still get random feelings of pressure which sometimes lead to a headache. I often have to 'pop' my ears but frequently only one will 'pop'. And I have tinnitus that happens probably 3 or 4 times a week which is a high pitched noise lasting seconds to a couple of minutes. Although I did have one occasion a few months ago that was a different noise and lasted longer! 🤷‍♀️

I have health anxiety so I do overly worry about symptoms I have. The doctor didn't seem to be worried at all but has referred me to ENT as on top of this I have had post nasal drip for many years (allergies) and have a deviated septum.

I'm 50 and well into peri but having problems with HRT due to progesterone intolerance so also awaiting a gynae appointment!

That sounds really rubbish! Hopefully the ENT referral will throw up some answers. I haven't heard anyone mention that as a part of menopause but who knows? I cant see why reduced oestrogen would lead to that though. So are you not on any HRT at the moment?

@Footballwidow24 Funnily enough I put the same post on a menopause forum and had 7 or 8 replies saying they'd had similar. It's suspected to be low oestrogen and drying up our mucus secretions in various places! 🙈

I'm not on anything HRT at the moment. One GP says try because it'll help with anxiety/mood swings and another says wait until I've sorted out my anxiety! 🤷‍♀️🤣

I found life much more bearable when I started HRT. I'm not sure I understand your gp's advice, though he may have his reasons!

I have very similar symptoms and I am also menopausal, but I don't think the two are connected.

@Footballwidow24 I've suffered with anxiety for a long long time and it's become awful over the last year and half after losing my partner to suicide last year.

Unfortunately any progesterone makes my anxiety worse which is why I've been referred to gynae. I definitely need HRT because my mood swings over my (very erratic) cycle are definitely extreme in the last 2-3 years than they used to be.

At the minute I'm eating extra healthy and working out which is helping a bit. I want that "HRT made me feel like a new woman" feeling!

@leeverarch I've always had issues with allergies and I've seen several posts about them getting worse in menopause. And my symptoms do seem to be worse for part of each cycle.

I'm currently logging symptoms on the FLO app to see what pattern, if any, there is.

Don't know if it's a peri/meno symptom but I'm like this at the moment.

I'm more inclined to think its just a random sinus bug/hayfever/allergy thing than a peri/meno thing.

Edited: apparently you can (re)develop hayfever as an adult due to hormone changes.

Can’t comment on any menopause link but am surprised that you haven’t been given steroids to treat the sinus infection.
I was recently in the same boat and saw an ENT specialist after three courses of antibiotics hadn’t shifted mine. Had a head CT and he prescribed steroids to get rid of the inflammation. All fine now. He said it was the standard approach.

@HotCrossBunplease I was given a steroid nasal spray but all that did was make my nose sore. Interesting about steroids, was it prednisone/Prednisolone? I always have a back up course of these in my cupboard as I'm asthmatic!

@abouttoturn50 Are you steaming and inhaling? That is the 'classic way' to release mucus. Bowl of boiling water, put your head over it with a towel to keep the steam in, and breathe through your nose. Do this 3 x a day at least. You can add some menthol-y type oil if you want to.

My DH has had surgery on his sinuses and seen an ENT dr numerous times.
Steaming and also nasal irrigation (you can get a kit from the pharmacy) with salt water solutions are recommended.

Also, drink loads of water every day to help thin the mucus.

Most sinus infections are viral based and NHS now says that antibiotics are rarely given or work.

@JinglingSpringbells yes, did all this while the infection was active. Just left with what I assume is inflammation now. I've got a quite a bad deviated septum and always had issues right from being a child. It's definitely got worse since peri kicked in!

I think maybe it's something you need to accept as needing 'treatment' long term.
DH had major surgery on his sinuses years ago but still has to do all of the above, at the slightest hint of a cold or hayfever. He finds the nasal irrigation helps a lot.