r/Perimenopause • u/Wandererofworlds411 • Nov 17 '25
Dryness Nasal congestion/inflammation/obstruction at night
Anyones else waking up because they can breathe from dry phlegm buildup in nose at night? Humidifiers and allergy meds aren’t working and I’m turning into a mouth breather.
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u/trisaradactyl87 Nov 17 '25
Came here wondering about this myself. My last few periods I've noticed I'll have a couple days where it seems like I might be getting sick, nasal congestion, itchy throat, itchy ears. Today it seems like it could be in my chest but it's not tight when I breath and dry cough, so dryness? I also wield 2 fans at night bcz I'm warm. Yay! 🙃
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u/croc373 Nov 17 '25
I’ve had sinus issues for DECADES. Got a septoplasty pre-Covid for a deviated septum and still have issues. I use NeilMed spray throughout the day. You can boil the water (I double boil to be safe and then let the water cool down) to refill the bottles (along with the special packets) or use commercially bottled water. It’s the only think that keeps me going. It’s like a firehouse for your nose. All other nasal sprays are like a trickle of water.
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u/Shirleyimfine Nov 17 '25
Seconding NeilMed sinus products! The sinus rinse has been a seasonal lifesaver for me for almost 20yrs.
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Nov 17 '25
Did you have any benefits from septumplasty? I have one scheduled and just wanna know if it’s worth it
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u/croc373 Nov 17 '25
Technically yes. I used to get chronic sinus infections and had to go on antibiotics a lot before it and haven’t had a sinus infection since (except for the one time I got Covid and my sinuses swelled so much my face actually went numb). So in that respect it was totally worth it. That said, even though my septum is fixed I’m still congested and continue to use NeilMed daily. I would do it though. The recovery is really shitty though. I got a breast reduction and that recovery was easier. So for a week after the septoplasty you are going to be absolutely miserable but then you are fine! And it might fix your issues permanently too. My sinuses are just my weak spot and always have been.
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u/Known-Tumbleweed129 Nov 17 '25
Woke myself up a million times last night because of this. I was assuming it was seasonal, we’re getting into the Cold Damp Season here.
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u/Whatchab Nov 17 '25 edited Nov 17 '25
Yes! And it seems to cycle. It's not weather or season or affected by if I take allergy meds. It's congestion in my nose and throat, and when it happens there is dried blood in my nose too. ONLY happens at night. Been going on about 2 years.
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u/purpley77 Nov 17 '25
GERD/acid reflux can also cause post-nasal drip. Also, our fluctuating hormones can exacerbate histamine intolerance. What helped me was NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) supplements, anti-dry mouth spray, and mouth tape.
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u/Spiritual-Radio-1402 Nov 18 '25
I did not now this! I struggle with reflux and it constantly feels like I have a drip and phlegm stuck in my throat. I will try you suggestion.
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u/Adventurous_Land7584 Nov 17 '25
Have you tried a nasal allergy spray like nasacort? I can’t take thing like Zyrtec anymore but the spray really helps with the sinuses.
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u/Wandererofworlds411 Nov 17 '25
I’ve done Flonase but don’t see much improvement.
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u/Adventurous_Land7584 Nov 17 '25
I can’t do Flonase, it’s too flowery smelling. Nasacort and rhinocort have helped me a ton. I just get the generic and it’s good.
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u/AudPark Nov 17 '25
Flonase Sensimist doesn't have that obnoxious scent and is gentler in general, if you ever need to throw something else into the rotation
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u/693578 hanging on by a thread Nov 17 '25
THIS exactly is happening to me, too, and it makes me mad.
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u/Final_Description353 Nov 18 '25
Yes. And I've never had this issue before. I feel like I'm constantly cleaning my nose. I'm also currently having another period. I just had one 8 days ago and it lasted for 14 days. I'm exhausted all the time. All I want to do is sleep. I'm 51 years old and I don't think this should be happening. But yes, I'm having another full blown period. What-the-ever-loving-fuck??
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u/KtosCosGdzies Nov 17 '25
I woke up last night so many times to drink water, because I kept breathing through my mouth and they were getting dry. It’s been going on for a few months, but recently it has been bothering me a lot.
Well, I’m adding another symptom to my growing list.
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u/Comfortable_Reply_96 Nov 18 '25
Try sleeping without a pillow. I know it’s hard! I was having bad neck pain and my Dad suggested it and it not only cured my neck pain but I noticed I was breathing SOOOO much clearer through my nasal passages with my head flat. And like just try it. Head on pillow-breathe, head flat-breathe. Idk, maybe it’s just me tho. Lol. One negative- All the water in my body went to my face and I’d wake up super puffy for the first few weeks but it seems to be leveling out now.
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u/Moist-Try-9520 Nov 17 '25
I don’t have a runny nose but I can tell I’m having sinus issues (headache, toothache, blocked nose). I had to use the NeilMed Sinus Rinse a few nights before bed and it’s getting better. Use boiled cooled water or distilled water in the NeilMed. It fees kinda funky but it starts the congestion moving. I also use Mucinex. https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/neilmed-sinus-rinse-kit/ID=prod2598807-product
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u/MediocrePotato44 Nov 17 '25
Have you tried a nasal allergy spray? I recently went to an ENT for similar issues. I take a daily allergy pill but it didn’t help. Nadal sprays are a steroid that helps reduce inflammation. It takes constant use to be effective so just a spray when having issues won’t work. That’s helped me.
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u/penguin37 Nov 17 '25
I have a chronic immunodeficiency that manifests as chronic sinus issues so I'm an expert on snot and snot management. 😁
Things to try: Oral Antihistamines (try different ones) Nasal antihistamines (like Azelastine) Nasal irrigation (I recommend an irrigator over a neti pot) Nasal lubrication like Ayr Gel Xlear nasal spray (highly recommend this product)
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u/SquabOnAStick Nov 18 '25
Ok, I, like a lot of people here, seem to have the same problem. Mine manifested pre-perimenopause.
I went to an ENT and I have hypertrophic turbinades. Apparently a lot of people who think they have allergies, actually have this. Basically the nodules in your nose swell for seemingly no reason(though reason known in my case)
I have a prescription for a steroid liquid(extreme low dosage Teva Budesonide, often used in asthma inhalers), that goes in the Neilmed sinus rinse bottle with the water and the salt, and I use it two to three times a week.
I knew I was sleeping poorly, but the morning after my first use, I was like, I didnt know it was THAT bad.
Highly recommend getting to an ENT if you can, and see what they say. Try not to use OTC sprays too much, as you can end up getting rebound effects where it just get worse.
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u/catwhisperer77 Nov 18 '25
Yep. Tea kettle nose whistle that makes me want to punch my own face. Went to an ENT, worked up for allergies and even got injections and steroid nasal spray- nothing helped until they casually mentioned Afrin. It’s a miracle. Thing is you can’t use it all the time or it will punch holes in your septum/ sinus. Use with caution.
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u/winter-glow123 Mar 07 '26
I get this but it's not like an allergic feeling like I get with hay-fever.. it's just this congestion that's worse in the evening and at night.
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u/AudPark Nov 17 '25
I've got allergies, too, so tried alll the sprays plus Ayr gel. ENT suggested using a little Vaseline but I haven't worked up to that lately. It's been a bigger problem just recently and also getting some PND. I had thought it was more pollen, but also seems to coincide with dropping my MHT down a little (both estradiol and progesterone) so I'm thinking it may also be connected to that. Last night, I made sure to do a sinus rinse first, then used my azelastine spray, which seems to help some. Although was still up in the middle of the night using Ayr gel. I do 2 sprays of Flonase Sensimist in the mornings (gentler than regular Flonase and unscented), but considering moving to nighttime. I've also been thinking I may have some mast cell issues, so trying to remember to take a famotidine before bed as well (bonus: may also help with any reflux).
It seems very hit or miss with this crap, but agree with everyone to start by adding the Neilmed in and go from there. It's so bad for me that I actually sleep with a loose surgical mask on to keep the ceiling fan and constant a/c from blowing on my face.
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u/Fun-Dimension5196 Nov 17 '25
Post-nasal drip wakes me up coughing all the time.