Rhinitis of pregnancy.

Nasal stuffiness as a consequence of pregnancy has been accepted as a distinct pathologic entity for years. Although estrogen can produce nasal mucosal edema through a cholinergic action, other factors may also cause or influence nasal congestion associated with pregnancy. These include allergy, infection, stress, and rebound rhinitis. A survey of 66 randomly selected pregnant women near term and of 16 pregnant women treated for "rhinitis of pregnancy" suggests that rhinitis solely attributable to pregnancy may not exist as a primary entity. Suggestions for further study of this problem are offered.