Does the use of the combined oral contraceptive pill cause changes in the nasal physiology in young women?
BACKGROUND
Changes in nasal physiology have been observed during pregnancy and the menstrual cycle. The role of female hormones in these changes is unclear. The aim is to investigate the effect of the modern combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP).


METHODS
Eleven women were recruited from a family planning clinic. Anterior rhinoscopy, peak inspiratory flow rate, acoustic rhinometry, anterior rhinomanometry, mucociliary clearance time, and rhinitis quality-of-life questionnaire (RQLQ) scores were recorded at days 1 and 14 pre- and post-COCP.


RESULTS
Increased nasal obstruction midcycle pre-COCP, with significant differences for anterior rhinoscopy (p = 0.001) and peak inspiratory flow rate (p = 0.022), was found. No statistical difference was shown between pre- and post-COCP results apart from day 1 anterior rhinoscopy findings (p = 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The modern COCP has no significant effect on nasal physiology.
Wolstenholme
Charlotte R
CR
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, United Kingdom. willswols@hotmail.com
Philpott
Carl M
CM
Oloto
Emeka J
EJ
Murty
George E
GE