Effects of pregnancy on olfaction

Year 2017, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 104 - 107, 30.09.2017

Oğuzhan Dikici Nuray Bayar Muluk , Ethem Şahin Niyazi Altıntoprak

Abstract

In this review, we aimed to report the effects of pregnancy on olfaction
function of the women. Since estrogen and progesterone levels change in
specific physiological conditions, pregnancy and postmenopausal period
exert an effect on the capability to sense and identify smells. Nasal
stuffiness increased during pregnancy. 66.6% of the pregnant women were
suffering olfactory dysfunction in the second trimester; while 95.8% in
the first and third trimesters. Olfactory function was lessened
following birth and throughout the first 6-12 weeks; however, it seemed
to improve entirely. In pregnant women, olfactory dysfunction was
observed in all trimesters; while it was less in the second trimester
and high in the first and third trimesters. The smell abnormalities were
almost absent at postpartum period. As olfactory functions improved
after delivery of the baby, olfactory changes during pregnancy may be
accepted as physiological changes which were observed in many pregnant
women.

Keywords

Olfaction, pregnancy, olfactory dysfunction, Gebelik, koku alma, koku alma bozuklukları

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