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Menopause & Sinus

If you are menopausal and swear that your sinuses have suddenly gone haywire, this is not your imagination. Sinus headaches are a frequent complaint of menopausal women.

  1. Estrogen

    • Headaches in general, including sinus headaches, can be linked to hormonal changes and fluctuations, according to 34-menopause-symptoms.com. When a woman’s estrogen levels drop this impacts the brain and the onset of headaches.

    Headaches in General

    • Menopausal women complain of migraine headaches and tension headaches, as well as sinus headaches, the latter being the third most-frequently experienced headache among menopausal women.

    Inflammation

    • When your sinus cavity becomes inflamed, you can’t get rid of the mucus, which results in pain and pressure in your face, the bridge of your nose, your cheeks, behind your eyes and your forehead. You will experience a congestion or sinus headache because your sinus cavities are blocked.

    Expert Insight

    • According to Dr. Elizabeth Lee Vliet, author of "Screaming to be Heard: Hormonal Connections Women Suspect but Doctors Still Ignore," sinus and allergy issues are related to low estrogen levels.

    Effectsf

    • Lack of estrogen increases problems with mucous-lined passages, which are no longer as healthy and lubricated as they were before menopause. When your passages aren't lubricated, your sinuses get clogged up and you will experience a sinus headache.

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