Perculiar symptom (earache)

[Kirsty360]

Hi all,

This is a really random symptom I have and I am convinced it's linked to high estrogen levels or hormones.

Every month I will get an earache with sinus pain across my cheek prior to my period.

Ive noticed it for a number of years and only recently put 2 and 2 together, but I also haven't asked a GP as they are nowhere near anatomically connected and don't want to sound like a fool!

Is this something any of you ladies out there experience?

TIA 🙏🏻

[BloomingMarvellous]

the earache maybe other than this so certainly get it checked out. In fact earache prior to periods can be due to low oestrogen ( it’s a problem for many in perimenopause) which in turn can reduce the amount of calcium uptake in our bodies. Calcium is important in maintaining the hairs in the ears health - essential for good hearing. The calcium levels drop because oestrogen is part of the uptake system for it. Likewise low Vit D can cause the same thing and is noticeable in turn before periods because the levels of hormones drop the week prior to your cycle. Long term low calcium/vit D can change a lot of body system functions and the latter is a risk factor for increased endo. You can ask for your Vit D and calcium levels to be checked but if your oestrogen levels overall are struggling the uptake will be poor . This can be the case where progestin suppression is used to manage the endo .

[Kirsty360 in reply to BloomingMarvellous]

Thank you so much BloomingMarvellous for an in depth response and sharing your knowledge. It makes so much sense, I will speak to my GP next week and explain what's happening. It's managable with NSAIDs, just the gnawing of it makes it annoying!

[BloomingMarvellous in reply to Kirsty360]

Used to drive me bananas. Thought I was loosing the plot and my hearing would be muffled before my period - sometimes it would even make me dizzy. Some folks get tinnitus at this point too. Made my family giggle that I’d be a deaf as a post suddenly every month.

[Kirsty360]

I can only begin to imagine! Thankfully I don't seem to have lost my hearing/have vertigo, but can see why you'd feel you've lost the plot!Have you managed to control it now?

[Endolemon]

yes, I have similar symptoms time to time, pain in one ear and blocked nose. Definitely think it relates to Endo 💛

[Kirsty360 in reply to Endolemon]

It's baffling isn't it, I've really struggled the last few days, my scalp is super sensitive to touch as well.

Endo is the gift that keeps on giving 👊🏻

[Charlie0112]

I have had sinus problems for years - never considered a possible link to endo before! I went down a bit of a rabbit hole after reading your post last night and it turns out that both sinusitis and endo can be linked to low vitamin D - which I found out last week that I have, so it makes sense. If you haven’t already had your vitamin D levels tested, it might help?

[Kirsty360 in reply to Charlie0112]

Thank you so much for the heads up on Vit D, I will look at a decent supplement to aid boosting my levels. Blows my mind how the deficiency of certain vitamins and minerals impact the body so much!

[LME5]

Hey Kirsty360! Sinus symptoms can be an indication of inflammation in the body. And endometriosis = inflammation. If the two are linked in your case, the key is to try to reduce the inflammation in your body. Supplements like curcumin (or turmeric) and omega 3 help bring down inflammation. Hope that's helpful in some way!

[Kirsty360 in reply to LME5]

Thank you, I will add some turmeric capsules into my morning supplements. It did in fact turn out to be low Vit D levels and was started on medication. Hoping it makes a difference to my upcoming cycle!