Objective: To evaluate the effects of drospirenone on the olfactory sensitivity in postmenopausal women treated with hormone therapy (HT).
Design: Forty-seven naturally postmenopausal women participated in the prospective study. The women underwent continuous combined HT containing 1 mg 17beta-estradiol and 2 mg drospirenone (DRSP). Airflow resistance values and olfactometric thresholds were measured by using rhinomanomety and olfactometry, respectively, performed at baseline and in the third and sixth cycle of HT.
Results: Rhinomanometric values were better during 17beta-estradiol/DRSP HT with respect to those observed at baseline (P < 0.001). Olfactometric threshold data indicated a higher sensitivity during both the third (P < 0.05), and sixth cycles of 17beta-estradiol/DRSP HT (P < 0.001) than at baseline.
Conclusions: Our study confirmed that the nasal airflow resistance and olfactory thresholds to odors may depend on steroid hormones. We believe that estrogens could influence neuronal plasticity and the neuronal conduction time in the olfactory system. The antimineralocorticoid activity of DRSP may produce a decrease in nasal edema, inducing a better interaction between odorous substances with receptors.