This reaction is because of a rise in progesterone that naturally occurs during themenstrual cycle.
“Progrestrogen” includes various forms of progesterone.
Symptoms of the skin include rashes, hives, swelling, itching and flaking.
Illustration by Tara Anand for Verywell Health
Both conditions are believed to be rare.
Illustration by Tara Anand for Verywell Health
What Is Progestogen Hypersensitivity?
Progestogen hypersensitivity is a reaction to your ownprogesterone.
Progesterone is a hormone that helps regulate your monthly cycle.
PH can also be due to other sources of this hormone.
Symptoms
Symptoms of PH usually appear between three and 10 days before the onset of your period.
They start to go away one to two days after your period starts.
PH can have a variety of symptoms.
Most, if not all, include skin rashes.
At first, it may not be obvious that your symptoms are related to your period.
It often takes a doctor to point out the pattern.
Reviewing this information with your provider can help to identify any patterns that are consistent with progestogen hypersensitivity.
Causes
The cause of PH is unknown.
Some researchers think it may be related to hormonal birth control.
It could also be related to supplements that contain progesterone.
These exposures may causesensitizationto the hormone.
This comes up whenever your body becomes sensitive to an allergen, a substance that causes an allergic reaction.
Pregnancy may also cause progesterone sensitization.
Pregnancy can affect the immune system.
It can also impact a variety of allergic conditions.
Allergic reactions to other hormones likeestrogencan also occur.
These are far less common, though.
Diagnosis and Treatment
PH is usually diagnosed based on:
Someallergistsmay perform a skin test.
This bang out of testing is unproven, though.
Unfortunately, these drugs only treat symptoms.
They do not treat the cause of the condition.
Oral contraceptives with a constant dose of progesterone can be trialed in non-severe cases.
Desensitization protocols to progesterone have also alleviated symptoms in some people with the help of an allergist.
Other treatments stop the ovaries from releasing an egg.
The prescription drug Eligard (leuprolide) prevents the increase of progesterone that follows ovulation.
This is an option if antihistamines don’t work.
Rarely, surgery to remove theovariesis needed.
This is done in severe cases when medications don’t help control the symptoms and fertility is not desired.
Some allergic reactions are emergencies.
Catamenial Dermatoses
Catamenial dermatosesrefer to another set of reactions to hormones produced during the menstrual cycle.
The symptoms of catamenial dermatoses are similar to PH.
The timing is different, though.
Symptoms begin during your period instead of before.
“Catamenia” refers to the phase of your cycle that is menstruation.
A variety of skin eruptions may be present among them itchy welts, eczema patches, and blisters.
People with this condition have symptoms at the onset of menstruation.
The symptoms continue until the flow stops.
Diagnosis will focus on a physical exam and analysis of clinical history.
Catamenial Anaphylaxis
Some people may also experience catamenial anaphylaxis.
This is a more serious reaction that involves several different parts of the body.
Symptoms may include:
Unlike PH, catamenial anaphylaxis is not thought to be a reaction to progesterone.
Instead, it may be triggered byprostaglandins.These are hormones that influence processes like pain and inflammation.
They are released from the lining of the uterus during your period.
Diagnosis is based on health history and physical examination.
In some cases, allergy testing will be used to exclude other possible causes.
Because these conditions are rare, there is no standard treatment.
In one study, there were varying outcomes among patients when different treatments were tried.
Most patients outside of one did not respond to antihistamines and success with hormonal suppression therapy also varied.
This is recommended when medications are unable to control the symptoms.
Summary
Allergic reactions related to the menstrual cycle are uncommon but do occur.
Symptoms may include worsening skin conditions that can progress to anaphylaxis.
These conditions are usually diagnosed based on symptoms and health history.
Progestogen hypersensitivity can be treated with antihistamines or corticosteroids.
Treatments that prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg may also help.
Catamenial dermatosis and anaphylaxis may be treatable with hormones.
Rarely, these conditions may require surgical removal of the ovaries.
With the start of menopause and the cessation of menstruation, these allergic reactions will end.
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National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Progestogen hypersensitivity.
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