Nasal Congestion When Pregnant < 90% Official >

High levels of estrogen and progesterone are the primary drivers. These hormones increase blood flow to all mucous membranes in the body, including those lining your nose. This increased blood flow causes the tissues inside the nose to swell, leading to that stuffy, pressurized feeling.

By the end of your second trimester, your blood volume has increased by nearly 50% to support the baby. This extra fluid doesn’t just stay in your veins; it can leak into the soft tissues of your body, including the nasal passages, causing further swelling. nasal congestion when pregnant

This condition, often called "pregnancy rhinitis," is real, frustrating, and surprisingly common. If you feel like you’ve had a cold that just won’t go away—despite having no fever or body aches—you aren’t alone. Pregnancy rhinitis is defined as nasal congestion that lasts for six or more weeks during pregnancy, without any other signs of an allergic reaction or a respiratory infection (like a cold or the flu). High levels of estrogen and progesterone are the