Prospective study evaluating olfactometric and rhinomanometric outcomes in postmenopausal women on 1 mg 17beta-estradiol and 2 mg drospirenone HT.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of drospirenone on the olfactory sensitivity in postmenopausal women treated with hormone therapy (HT).


METHODS
Forty-seven naturally postmenopausal women participated in the prospective study. The women underwent continuous combined HT containing 1 mg 17beta-estradiol and 2 mg drospirenone (DRSP). Airflow resistance values and olfactometric thresholds were measured by using rhinomanomety and olfactometry, respectively, performed at baseline and in the third and sixth cycle of HT.


RESULTS
Rhinomanometric values were better during 17beta-estradiol/DRSP HT with respect to those observed at baseline (P < 0.001). Olfactometric threshold data indicated a higher sensitivity during both the third (P < 0.05), and sixth cycles of 17beta-estradiol/DRSP HT (P < 0.001) than at baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study confirmed that the nasal airflow resistance and olfactory thresholds to odors may depend on steroid hormones. We believe that estrogens could influence neuronal plasticity and the neuronal conduction time in the olfactory system. The antimineralocorticoid activity of DRSP may produce a decrease in nasal edema, inducing a better interaction between odorous substances with receptors.
Department of Microbiological Science and Gynecological Science, Research Group for Sexology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy. scaruso@unict.it
Salvatore
S
Caruso
Agostino
A
Serra
Calogero
C
Grillo
Vincenzo
V
De Leo
Luigi
L
Maiolino
Carmela
C
Agnello
Antonio
A
Cianci
D000736:Androstenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009831:Olfactory Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects; D055696:Olfactory Perception / Q000187:drug effects*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D025363:Rhinomanometry / Q000379:methods; D012903:Smell / Q000187:drug effects
D000736:Androstenes; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D004958:Estradiol; C035144:drospirenone