Itchy Ears in Perimenopause

🚧 Construction zone digging

Ears that itch in perimenopause?

Yeah, it’s a real thing.

The general and popular consensus is that itchy ears in perimenopause are caused by low estrogen levels, which dry out the skin, affect collagen, and can even lead to eczema or inflammation in the ear canals.

However, I disagree.

Itchy ears were one of the first perimenopause symptoms I developed (although I didn’t know it at the time). It continues to be an issue for me after all these years in perimenopause.

Estrogen can spike 2 - 3x higher than normal in perimenopause, so the theory that it’s due to low estrogen doesn’t make sense to me. It’s not until closer to menopause and postmenopause that estrogen is consistently low.

Do you know who else deals with itchy ears?

Pregnant women.

And pregnant women have high levels of estrogen.

I believe that itchy ears occur more frequently due to high or rapidly fluctuating estrogen levels, rather than low levels, in PERImenopause. I also believe other hormones may be involved and that estrogen doesn’t operate in a silo.

Why Are They Itchy?

That’s the million-dollar question.

Itching ears can be a symptom of something else that a doctor should investigate. You still want to ensure that nothing is going on there, which may require a trip to your primary care doctor or an ENT (that’s an ear, nose, and throat specialist. I can recommend one below, but he’ll be a bit busy this year).

Itch. Itch.

The medical term for itchy ears is pruritus aurium.

There is very little medical information about itchy ears, but in 1989, there was an article in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) describing something called “Itchy Ear Syndrome” for when there is no other explanation for the itching. However, it doesn’t appear this term has spread like fire in the medical community, so don’t expect your doctor to know about this.

I believe my itchy ears are due to two reasons: an increase in earwax production and hot flashy, sweaty ears. The hot flashes cause my ears to sweat, and the body heat melts my excessive earwax, making them wet and itchy.

Doesn’t this make you want to be friends with me?!

When I was about 20 weeks pregnant, I had so much earwax production that it blocked my ear, causing hearing loss and severe pain. I ended up in the emergency room. I was pregnant with twins, so I looked like I was there to deliver a baby. They were about to bring out a gurney for me and rush me to labor and delivery.

Here’s how I elevate my ear-itching experience. Press play to hear what I say when I scratch at my ears (aka construction zone digging). I’ll do anything to make perimenopause symptoms more like a comedy instead of a drama.

Does Anything Help?

This is one of those things that you have to find what works for you.

Some women have discovered that applying a small amount of coconut oil in the ear canal can alleviate itching (this was even suggested to me by my ENT). Others find that hydrocortisone cream can be effective.

For me, keeping my ear canal dry is important. I have to be careful in the shower not to get the inside wet. For me, wetness and itching go hand in hand (or should I say “ear in ear.”)

Is There a Doctor in the House?

Attending the 180th American Medical Association Presidential Inauguration on June 10, 2025.

It's always comforting to be in a room with a 1,000 of the nation's best doctors.

Congratulations to Dr. Bobby Mukkamala for becoming the 180th President of the American Medical Association!

Dr. Mukkamala, an ENT from Flint, Michigan, is committed to improving patient care experiences through access. Over the next year, he'll represent the AMA and champion this agenda. During his inaugural speech, he stated, "Our patients deserve better. Our physicians deserve better. Our nation deserves better."

He's a charismatic man, an amazing physician, and is dedicated to medicine and his family.

He's currently being treated for brain cancer, which he openly talks about, giving hope to other cancer patients and giving him a unique perspective as a patient of a serious illness.

We're in great hands.

You can watch his incredibly inspirational inaugural speech here. His wife, Nita, a dedicated OB/GYN, is just to the left of the screen (with brown hair). This is a power couple:

And, if you or anyone you know is going through cancer, I’m including the link to his first video about getting diagnosed, which happened after he had speech issues while delivering a presentation at an AMA meeting in November 2024.

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I’m a peri-pro! Trying to figure out perimenopause on your own?

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Be well, stay cool…

Shelby Tutty, MHA
Certified Perimenopause Educator
Founder of The Periprofessional, LLC

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