ears tinnitus

Ringing, pressure or that whooshing in your ears is more common at this stage than anyone warns you about. Hormone shifts affect blood flow and fluid balance, and poor sleep makes it louder, which is why it comes and goes with your worst weeks.

What helps: caffeine and alcohol down, sleep protected, and blood pressure checked (it is the one cause worth ruling out). If the ringing starts suddenly, is in one ear only, or comes with hearing loss or dizziness, get it looked at quickly rather than watching it.