Association of Menopause and Rhinitis Among Adult Women in the United States: Findings from the All of Us Research Program

Abstract

Objective

The inflammatory role of female hormones has been garnering increased attention in the literature. Studies suggest a link between estrogen and inflammatory conditions of the airways and nasal mucosa. However, there remains a paucity of literature regarding the associations of hormones with rhinitis. Given the profound hormonal changes that occur during menopause, we sought to better understand the association between menopause and rhinitis.

Methods

Data from the All of Us Research Program regarding rhinitis diagnoses, menopause status, demographic variables, socioeconomic status, and comorbidities were extracted for female participants aged 40–60. Crude odds ratios (cORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for unadjusted associations between menopause and rhinitis. Variables were then included in multivariable logistic regression models, with separate models for allergic rhinitis (AR) and nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) as the outcome variables. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% CI were calculated.

Results

We identified 40,875 female participants aged 40–60 without any missing data. Compared with participants without rhinitis, a greater proportion of those with AR (51.6% vs. 55.6%; cOR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.11–1.25) and NAR (51.6% vs. 58.9%; cOR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.11–1.63) had experienced menopause. However, after controlling for covariates, menopause was associated with a decreased odds of AR (aOR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.82–0.96) and not associated with NAR (aOR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.77–1.24).

Conclusion

Menopause was independently associated with a decreased odds of AR but was not associated with NAR. Research should aim to further examine these relationships and hormonal mechanisms underlying the observed protective associations.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 135:1935–1939, 2025