Does use of the combined oral contraceptive pills cause changes in nasal
physiology in young women?
C.M. Philpott (1), C.R. Wolstenholme (1), G.E. Murty (1), E.J. Oloto
(2)
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, University
Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, UK (1); Contraception, Sexual &
Reproductive Health Services, St Peter’s Health Centre, University Hospitals
of Leicester NHS Trust, UK (2)
Introduction: Previous work in this area demonstrated changes in nasal
physiology during pregnancy 1 and at ovulation 2. The
effect of combined oral contraceptive pills on nasal physiology, to our
knowledge, has not been investigated.
Objective: To demonstrate whether the use of combined oral
contraceptive pill influences nasal physiology.
Design & Methods: Female volunteers seeking to commence combined
oral contraceptive pills (cocp) were recruited from a community family planning
clinic. Measurements of the nasal airways were made at day 1 and at mid-cycle of
their periods prior to the commencement of the cocp and then repeated at the
same timings once on the pills. These measurements included anterior rhinoscopy,
peak inspiratory nasal flow, acoustic rhinometry and anterior rhinomanometry.
Symptomatic measurements were by saccharin tests and rhinitis questionnaire
scores. Results were analysed using paired t-tests.
Results: The research is in progress but the preliminary analysis of
the results suggests that there are no significant differences in the
measurements before and after commencing cocp. However, there are differences
between the day 1 and mid-cycle readings before commencing cocp (anterior
rhinoscopy and rhinitis questionnaires were nearest to statistical significance),
which is in agreement with the work previously conducted by Philpott et al 2.
Conclusions: An influence of endogenous hormones in a cyclical manner
is evident, but the continuous pulse delivery of hormones provided by the cocp
does not appear to influence nasal physiology significantly. This may provide
complexities with the pharmacological antagonism of oestrogens in managing
rhinitis.
1. Philpott C., Conboy P., Al-Azawi F., Murty G. Nasal physiological changes
during pregnancy. Clinical Ortorlaryngology and Allied Sciences, 2004. In
progress.
2. Philpott C.,El-Alami F., Murty G. The effect of the steroid sex hormones
on the nasal airways during the normal menstrual cycle. Clinical
Ortorlaryngology and Allied Sciences, 2004. In progress.
