Sex hormones, particularly estrogen, have long been implicated in modulating inflammatory pathways, yet their role in sinonasal disease remains underexplored. This scoping review synthesized 57 studies examining estrogen fluctuations and sinonasal outcomes in women. Evidence points to worsening symptoms during pregnancy, a possible association of early menarche with higher rhinitis risk, and paradoxically, worse sinonasal outcomes after menopause. Data on oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy remain inconclusive, with limited and conflicting results.
Critically, few rigorous studies address chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) directly, leaving a major gap in understanding the endocrine–immune interplay in sinonasal pathophysiology. Dive into the full review to see how estrogen may be quietly reshaping the sinonasal disease landscape. Read the journal here Are we…
