title: A prospective study evidencing rhinomanometric and olfactometric outcomes in women taking oral contraceptives.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the changes in olfactory sensitivity of oral contraceptive (pill) users.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty women underwent rhinomanometric and olfactometric determinations during the follicular, periovular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle, and at day 7, 14 and 21 of contraceptive intake. Thirty-one women used 30 microg ethinyl oestradiol plus 75 microg gestodene and 29 women used 20 microg ethinyl oestradiol plus 150 microg desogestrel.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rhinomanometry showed higher but not statistically significant values during the periovular phase than in the follicular and luteal phases. Olfactometry showed a higher sensitivity during the follicular and periovular phases than during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The rhinomanometric surveys in pill users were statistically different from those of the luteal phase (P < 0.02) and the follicular and periovular phases (P < 0.001). The olfactometric thresholds during the period of contraceptive use were statistically different from those of the follicular phase for a few odorous substances, and from those of the periovular phase for each odorous substance, but similar to those of the luteal phase (P = NS).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unlike the rhinomanometric airflow and trans-nasal pressure, the olfactory threshold to odours seems to depend on the variations of the ovarian steroids during the menstrual cycle and on the iatrogenic effects of oral contraceptives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiological Science and Gynaecological Science, Research Group for Sexology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy. scaruso@mbox.unict.it
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grillo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Agnello
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maiolino
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Intelisano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Serra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000641:Ammonia; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase; D008297:Male; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D009812:Odorants; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology; D028042:Pimpinella; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011725:Pyridines; D025363:Rhinomanometry; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*; D027842:Syzygium
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D009652:Norpregnenes; D011725:Pyridines; C033273:Gestodene; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D000641:Ammonia; D017135:Desogestrel; C023666:pyridine