Please Explain Menopause/Allergy Connection

[wannasing]

I've recently had a series of upper and lower respiratory infections, as well as aggravation of my allergic asthma, all of which seem to be linked to an unexplained "mucosal thickening" of my maxillary sinuses, which have been inflamed for at least a year, and draining/stuffy for about 4 months.  A former singer, I also have all but lost my voice because of congestion.
I've been on lots of antibiotics, inhalers, and oral steroids, which may explain why my period is late, but I'm 44 years old, so being near menopause might also be the explanation. There are a lot of alternative medicine web sites that allude to the connection between hormones and histamines, but I have yet to find one medical study either substantiating it or explaining it.  I've found one medical article merely concluding that postmenopausal women have thickened nasal mucosa.  I am concerned about this since we know inflammation is a contributing factor in heart disease (which I don't have YET).  
I'd appreciate it if a doctor could respond with information and suggestions about what my next steps should be.

[wannasing]

Thanks for your response.  If I may ask -- do you mean once you were menopausal (ie no periods), or during perimenopause?  Has it gotten any better?  Do you think there's any point in getting allergy tests?  I had tests done about 4 years ago and was surprised to find how many grasses and trees I was allergic to (formerly, it was just cats).

[gad227]

My allergies and asthma worsened when I started menopause.  One doctor told me that some women's allergies decrease, while others can increase.  My own personal experience has been terrible since entering menopause as far as my allergies are concerned.  But I would also make sure you are not reacting to something you are not aware of and make sure you see an allergisT before assuming menopause is causing the problem.    Good luck.