Eustachian tube function during pregnancy

Abstract

The upper respiratory mucosa has been reported to react to sex hormones in both physiological and pathological conditions. The present study was specifically aimed to determine the influence of high levels of oestrogen on Eustachian tube function. Fifty‐three healthy, pregnant women were prospectively evaluated for Eustachian tube function during pregnancy. Eustachian tube function was found to be highly variable in different women, and in the same woman at different stages of pregnancy. We did not find a specific trend in Eustachian tube function with increasing oestrogen levels as encountered during pregnancy.

Gender‐related differences in outcomes after endoscopic sinus surgery

“…The effect of gender and sex hormones on Eustachian tube function has been less thoroughly studied, and no studies have been able to detect changes in Eustachian tube function with hormone treatment, as in the larynx. 9,10 Limitations of this study include its poor retention rate and small sample size, which may confer selection bias. Also, objective measures for sinus (Lund-Mackay or endoscopy scores), voice (stroboscopy, acoustic analysis, etc), or Eustachian tube symptoms (tympanometry) were not recorded pre-or postoperatively.…”

“…The key differences may lie in the evaluation of facial discomfort for the ear/facial subdomain. The effect of gender and sex hormones on Eustachian tube function has been less thoroughly studied, and no studies have been able to detect changes in Eustachian tube function with hormone treatment, as in the larynx 9,10 …”

Ear, Nose, and Throat Manifestations during Pregnancy

“…An early study by Plate et al 36 demonstrated a link between PET, weight gain during pregnancy, and elevated serum estriol levels, but only 5 patients were symptomatic and so the validity of the study is questionable. A larger study by Weissman et al 37 looked at the Eustachian tube function of 53 women but failed to correlate any changes with estrogen levels during the antenatal period despite reports that up to one‐third of patients with PET are either pregnant or taking estrogen replacement therapy 38 . In view of the resolution of the symptoms postpartum, management should consist of informative reassurance alone.…”

A study on otorhinolaryngological manifestations in pregnant women

“…The relative immunosuppression also occurs in pregnancy causing otomycosis. 3,4 Hearing loss has been noted in pregnant women which could be due to the Eustachian tube dysfunction and also due to hypercoagulable state leading to vascular occlusion of the microcirculation of the inner ear causing sudden onset of deafness (SNHL). 5 The rhinological manifestations in pregnancy include rhinitis, epistaxis and nasal discharge.…”