Perimenopause, which usually begins sometime in your 40s, lasts about four to seven years before you transition to menopause. During that time, you can experience a wide variety of symptoms, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, mood swings, skin changes, and trouble sleeping.

Having itchy ears is one symptom of perimenopause that’s not frequently discussed. Yet it can be one of the more bothersome, leading to irritation and discomfort. It can even impact your quality of life if you’re not able to get the persistent itching under control.

While there’s little research on ear itching in perimenopause, most healthcare experts suspect the urge to scratch may be worsened by fluctuating estrogen levels. High levels of estrogen can activate the nerve cells that send itch signals, while low levels can lead to dry skin in and around your ear. If you’re experiencing itchy ears in perimenopause, here’s what could be causing it and what you can do to alleviate your discomfort.

🗳️ What has helped you the most in alleviating your itchy ears?

Drinking plenty of water

Using a humidifier

Moisturizing

Something else — I'll tell you in the comments

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Why Does Perimenopause Cause Itchy Ears?

If you’re experiencing itchy ears, it could be related to a change in your estrogen levels. Not only is estrogen responsible for reducing inflammation, but it also helps keep your skin functioning the way that it should. It even plays a role in your skin’s hydration. For instance, estrogen supports your skin’s natural oils and collagen production and stimulates hyaluronic acid, a molecule that helps it retain moisture.

When your estrogen levels fluctuate or decrease, your body produces less oil and collagen. And your skin, especially the delicate skin inside your ear, can start to lose water and become dry and itchy. This can also lead to inflamed, irritated skin and overstimulated nerve cells in your ears. Likewise, with less collagen, your skin becomes more fragile and sensitive and loses its elasticity, all of which can lead to itchiness.

Keep in mind, too, that your outer ear and your ear canal don’t contain a lot of tissue and rely on your oil glands and earwax to stay lubricated. But if lower estrogen levels are causing everything to get dryer, the same would hold true for your ears.

What Else Could Cause Itchy Ears?

While perimenopause and its hormonal shifts may very well be the root cause of your itchy ears, you can’t assume that’s the only cause. In fact, ear infections and fungal infections are often the most common causes for itchy ears.

Other potential causes include skin conditions like psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema. Allergies could also be to blame, especially if you’re allergic to certain types of pollen or foods. The key is to pay attention to your symptoms and make an appointment with a healthcare provider if your itchiness persists or if you experience pain or bleeding.

How Can You Make Your Ears Less Itchy?

Once you know what’s causing your itchy ears, you can take the appropriate steps to soothe your ears and the skin around them. Those steps may include making lifestyle changes, changing your skin care habits, moisturizing your skin, and taking medication when warranted.

Here are some other treatment options you can try:

• Drink plenty of water — One study found that drinking 2 liters of water a day for 30 days dramatically improved skin hydration.
• Use a humidifier at night — Hydrate your skin and reduce itchiness by using a humidifier while you sleep.
• Moisturize the outer ear and surrounding skin — Use an emollient to seal in moisture.
• Apply a warm compress — Heat can calm your irritated skin and increase blood flow.
• Use a small drop of oil — If a healthcare provider says it’s OK, try a small drop of refined petroleum oil or sunflower oil to loosen earwax, but avoid olive oil because it damages the skin barrier.
• Add a drop of alcohol to your ear — Use 70 percent rubbing alcohol and add a drop to your ear to see if it reduces itchiness.
• Apply topical creams and steroids — Your dermatologist may recommend that you use over-the-counter or prescription creams and ointments.
• Take prescription medications — Sometimes a healthcare provider will prescribe an antibiotic for an infection, an antifungal medication for a fungal infection, or ear drops.

Can Hormonal Treatments Help?

Some women find that increasing estrogen levels with menopause hormone therapy, sometimes called hormone replacement therapy (HRT), can improve their skin symptoms. Researchers have noted that increasing estrogen levels can improve your skin’s hydration, elasticity, and collagen production, as well as modify inflammation.

However, menopause hormone therapy has not been well-studied or definitively proven to be an effective first-line treatment for skin changes in menopause, despite some studies showing its benefits for the skin. Therefore, it’s important to discuss with your healthcare provider if menopause hormone therapy is the right treatment for you.

To determine if you might benefit from menopause hormone therapy, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you decide if it is a good option for you based on your symptoms of perimenopause and your health history.

Join the Conversation

On ThisIsMenopause, women share their experience with perimenopause and menopause, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

If you’ve experienced itchy ears, what have you done to alleviate your symptoms? Let others know in the comments below.