title: Rhinomanometric and olfactometric variations throughout the menstrual cycle.
abstract: A prospective study was performed to evaluate the rhinomanometric values and the changes in the olfactory threshold that occur in women throughout the menstrual cycle. The subjects were 60 healthy volunteer premenopausal women 18 to 40 years of age. We performed rhinomanometric and olfactometric measurements during the follicular, periovular, and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Rhinomanometry showed a higher (not statistically significant) airflow during the periovular phase than during the follicular and luteal phases. Olfactometry showed a higher sensitivity during the follicular phase (p < .05) and the periovular phase (p < .001) than during the luteal phase. We conclude that airflow and transnasal pressure during spontaneous respiration, as well as the olfactory threshold to odors, seem to depend on the variations of the ovarian steroids that occur during the menstrual cycle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grillo
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: La Mantia
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Triolo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scollo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: La Boria
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Intelisano
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caruso
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000403:Airway Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D009666:Nose; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*