The Cure for Itchy Ears During Perimenopause
A couple of years ago, I began dealing with itchy ears. I wished I could get in my ear canal and scratch; it was as annoying as a mosquito bite. My doctor saw nothing out of the ordinary and just said that as we get older, parts of us can get drier and irritated. I've been taking fish oil and doubling up body lotion with oil for my skin, but how do you moisturize an itchy ear canal? I'm thrilled to share I found the cure for itchy ears during perimenopause.
The Cure for Itchy Ears During Perimenopause
I wish I could link back to where I heard about sea buckthorn, but I truly can't remember. It was an aside in a long article about perimenopause where a woman said she used sea buckthorn as her cure for itchy ears during perimenopause. I didn't even know what sea buckthorn was, but I was willing to try anything.
I searched on Amazon and found organic sea buckthorn supplements from Sibu. I bought a 30-day bottle. In less than a week, I realized my ears were no longer itching. Not only that, but my nose ran less, my eyes were not quite as dry, and things were less dry down there, too. All that, and I experienced no side effects.
I have used these organic sea buckthorn supplements from Sibu for over a year. I originally bought them from Amazon but recently switched to getting the supplements via Autoship through iHerb. You do not need to sign up for Autoship to shop via iHerb, but I found I'd forgotten to buy a new bottle and appreciated the discounted price and the reliable delivery.
I follow the bottle's instructions to take two capsules a day, which contain 1,000mg of sea buckthorn oil. The capsules are shaped like pea-sized footballs, and I find them easier to swallow than most of my morning supplements.
Speaking of forgetting, this sea buckthorn would often be out of stock on Amazon, and I'd go a week without taking it each morning. The next thing I knew, I desperately wanted to dig a Q-tip into my ear canals to ease the itchiness. I'd get another bottle (I've also found this at Whole Foods), and within a couple of days, I'd be itch-free.
What is Sea Buckthorn?
Sea buckthorn also goes by the names seaberry, Siberian pineapple, sallowthorn, and seathorn. Primarily found in Russia, China, Mongolia, and northern Europe, sea buckthorn is a deciduous shrub that is quite hardy and does well in the mountains, in sandy, dry, and sunny locations and thrives in cold climates.
What Are the Benefits of Sea Buckthorn?
Many cultures have used the oil of sea buckthorn for hundreds of years for its supposed medicinal properties. Rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, K, and E as well as iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, and zinc, sea buckthorn has been used to treat skin issues, heart health, and inflammation reduction. Sea buckthorn is popular as a juice, in cosmetic ingredients, and as an oil applied to the skin for moisture and softening. Sea buckthorn supposedly helps burns heal faster and help with eczema.
Sea Buckthorn and Perimenopause
Sea buckthorn is often suggested to those experiencing perimenopausal symptoms or who have gone through menopause because it is a good moisturizer from the inside out. Taking sea buckthorn supplements helps with dry eyes, vaginal dryness, runny nose from overly dry sinuses, brittle hair, and yes, dry itchy ears.
Side Effects of Sea Buckthorn
Sea buckthorn may slow blood clotting and could cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop taking sea buckthorn two weeks before planned surgery, just in case, and do not take it if you are already taking blood thinners. There's a chance sea buckthorn may lower blood pressure and blood sugar, so talk to your doctor before taking if you are already taking medications for this. The most common side effect of sea buckthorn is digestive issues, usually because you're taking too high a dose.
Would Other Oils Work?
Honestly, I don't know if any other oils will work as well for itchy ears as sea buckthorn. I take fish oil, add flax oil to my morning oatmeal, and have taken borage oil and none of those have helped me with my perimenopausal itchy ears. However, I would love to hear from you. Have you dealt with itchy ears during perimenopause? Did you find a cure that isn't sea buckthorn oil? Do share your experience in the comments and help others in the Wardrobe Oxygen community!
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Wait, that’s why my ears itch all the time? I have seen doctors about this and no one said jack.
I don’t think doctors even realize this happens in menopause. Most Ob/Gyns get a week or so of training on menopause and GPs get even less.
Oh my gosh i have been trying to spread the word that super itchy ears are a perimenopause thing ever since i learned about it (i love how this spellcheck thinks “perimenopause” is not a real word but “spellcheck” is, ha!)
After many years of stashing q-tips all around the house to cope with the unbearably intense itching, i started coating them with a very old balm i picked up long ago from a natural products stall at a renaissance festival. I cant even read the ingredients any more but that helped a LOT.
I’m using this sea buckthorn now based on Alison’s recommendation and it does seem to help. I still occasionally find i need to “itch and moisturize” but not nearly like before. I tend to only take one pill a day since being small and sensitive my pattern with many meds/supplements is to take half the recommended dose (I think Bette has a good point too so hopefully that helps mitigate negative effects since based on my health i have to take many medicines and supplements to function).
I have been using sea buckthorn oil on my skin for years. I love it! How did you decide on this particular oil? I always appreciate your recommendations.
Yes I did have relief after that. I just wasn’t thrilled to have her stick a metal scooping tool in my ear canal.
Rather than take another pill I’m looking into sea buckthorn tea. There are bushes in a public space near me and I will go berry picking in the fall.
For people commenting regarding fish oil this is a different omega oil. Seven rather than three.
Also suffering the itchy ears. Never thought of a supplement. Would love to hear your full round up of any other perimenopausal supplements you have found to help with various symptoms. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
Ever since I learned in 2021 that fish oil supplements are associated with a “significantly greater risk of atrial fibrillation,” I stopped believing in or taking any supplements. I think about how my mother, who had cardiovascular disease, religiously took her fish oil every day, and yes, she developed atrial fibrillation and eventually died of a stroke. Things that are healthy in nature — and in moderation — can become deadly when messed with by profit-driven industry. If we need omega-3 fatty acids, we should eat fish, not swallow some concentrated version of fish taken out of context of the fish. Etc.
Your experience with sea buckthorn is interesting. Whatever works, with caveats that taking this concentrated supplement that does not resemble the plant or its environs, and which was manufactured — somewhere, under unknown conditions, potentially changing its basic nature — may have unknown risks.
I have been taking omega-3 fish oil for a year but still have to use allergy eye drops and antihistamine tablets every day because of my extreme dry eyes and nasal passages. If I can take sea buckthorn alongside the omega-3 then I’m in because I’m fed up with every part of my body being dry dry DRY!
I am post-menopausal and went to my ENT for itchy ears. It was driving me crazy. She said I had a build up of ear wax and forbid me to remove it with a Q-tip. She then took some metal instrument and proceeded to try and remove the ear wax. That pinched and was uncomfortable to say the least! She said everyone has a build up to a different degree. (go figure) This supplement intrigues me enough to try it!!
Did it help afterwards (to have the earwax removed)?
I have ear wax removed every 9 months or so. Never had a metal anything used, it’s always a water flushing. It’s not completely comfortable but it doesn’t hurt. I’ve also been told that this issue tends to be hereditary.