Testosterone and sinus drainage (the famous T-cold)

[Cailan Jerika]

I'm coming up on three months on T, and my throat is still full of post-nasal drip. I can barely tell what my voice is doing (lower or not) because it's always filled with crap. I'm constantly clearing it out of my throat, spitting it out, blech.

How long does this last? I was under the impression it was only supposed to a few weeks, but clearly not, at least not for me.

[DawnOday]

Hmm. You got me thinking. My nose used to run a lot even with Spiro. But since I started finesteride I have noticed it is not as runny as it used to be as my T level is well below the male level.

[Kylo]

Never heard of T affecting mucus production. Interesting.

Never had anything like it when I started.

[widdershins]

Have you considered that it's peak fall allergy season?

[TransAm]

Never heard of T affecting mucus production. Interesting.

Never had anything like it when I started.

^ Ditto.

[Dena]

It's possible that you have a sinus infection. I had a few of them and there were two different approaches to treating them. One was antibiotics and the other was a month of antihistamines. Both approaches worked but I had a relatively mild case of it. The only thing I notices was my nose kept dripping. It would be best if you bring this up with your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

[Cailan Jerika]

I was already on antihistamines when I started T. The effect was nearly immediate, within days. It doesn't change, even when I run out of antihistimines. My seasonal allergies cause me to itch terribly, along with red, runny eyes. I haven't had any of my usual histamine symptoms.

I did some reading and the cause is testosterone "opens up" blood vessels, and causes those in the sinuses to cause more drainage until the body adjusts to the new normal. Known as the "T-cold" in some circles because it supposedly lasts about as long as a cold.

[Ryuichi13]

I tol have never experienced any mucus problems with taking T, nor have I ever heard of it happening until now.

But, when my voice started dropping in range, I did experience sore throats that told me my vocal chords were thickening.  Hot tea soothed those.


Ryuichi 

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[November Fox]

I had post-nasal drip before T, so I don´t think I can offer anything practical. It is possible that it has other causes, if you´ve moved, for example (my problems started when I moved into an older building).

Up to this point I have no idea how to resolve post-nasal drip. You can get an anti-allergy spray at the apothecary but it might not help.

@Cailan I love your profile picture. Is there a bigger version of it somewhere around the internet?

[James80]

I'm almost 5 months on T (consistently). I changed climates at exactly the same time I started T, so I'm not sure if my drippy nose is a result of going from humid southern Indiana to drier western Montana or from starting T. I'm on my second box of tissues at the office, which feels weird, but hey, there are bigger issues in my life right now.

When I have post-nasal issues, I gargle with listerine a couple times a day to cut through the sludge. Imperfect, but it seems to help, plus nice to have fresh breath.

[Kreuzfidel]

I'm coming up on three months on T, and my throat is still full of post-nasal drip. I can barely tell what my voice is doing (lower or not) because it's always filled with crap. I'm constantly clearing it out of my throat, spitting it out, blech.

How long does this last? I was under the impression it was only supposed to a few weeks, but clearly not, at least not for me.

I didn't realise that this is now considered to be a "thing".  Never happened to me.  I would imagine that it's coincidental.

[rorythedinosaur]

Reviving this topic since I think I might have sinusitis. My nose won't drop a single drop of mucus, I'm all blocked. And I have pain right over my eyes. I always had issues with my noise being congestioned but I never had pain. My neurologist made me do an mri and everything was ok. So I will soon go to ne hear doctor. In the meanwhile i d like to know from you if you heard about T causing sinusitis/ edema in the sinus/eyes/nose.

[meatwagon]

I've never heard of t causing sinus problems.  my own ongoing sinus issues have been worse recently, but that's because I was sick almost constantly for 2 months or so and I ended up with a polyp and swollen nasal cavities which made the drainage worse.  I have had some kind of sinus thing since middle school, though, long before starting t.  definitely ask your doctor about it, both your primary and whoever prescribed your hormones.

[Kylo]

If you have chronic (long term) sinus issues use salt water and drip it down your nose with a dropper. It's important to keep the sinus clear if it's inflamed or you will likely get sinusitis recurring.

I have sinus issues and temperamental drainage from the cheekbones, and getting sinusitis is something I try avoid at all times. Keeping your nose clean and using salt water can help keep the membranes from swelling up and closing off causing infections. But in the long term it might be something like a deviated septum or something like that causing long term damage. I used a bunch of those Afrin things for a while and they're useless as you just become addicted and the withdrawal results in more sinusitis, so the best thing to do is maintain a regimen of saline water, or if you have to use decongestants, dilute them tenfold in saline and use them only when you need to.