Allergic to my period???? Anyone heard of this?

[Beautyandthemoon]

for months now 13 year old dd, who’s never been allergic to anything, been having itching like crazy for hours, a day, hives, redness. It stops only when her period either starts or a few hours after it starts.

i read online this is super rare and happens after some kind of fertility treatment or birth control with progesterone.

shes never been on birth control or anything like that!

it’s awful because she already suffers from possible endo, diagnosed with pmdd and very heavy period bleeding, now this….

anyone ever hear of this? How do you treat this?

She needs to see a specialist. I wouldn't even waste time with a GP.

Yes! Menstruation is also a common co-factor in what's called exercise-induced anaphylaxis (I have a variant of this). In fact, not just menstruating but female hormones more broadly as some women are triggered by childbirth.

She needs to see an allergy specialist. GP can refer.

Is she taking Nurofen/other NSAIDs for period pain as this can lower the threshold?

My general allergies flare in the days before my period. Among them are skin allergies that lead to itching, hives and rashes. I always need prescription antihistamines on top of everything I do to avoid my allergens plus the daily allergy meds I take and the shots I get.

She’s taking mefenemic acid together with paracetamol

Mefenamic acid is an NSAID.

What type of anaphylaxis do you have? I have exercise induced anaphylaxis and have never met anyone with similar! I had to see the obstetric anaesthetists when pregnant as they were worried, but was fine.

I’m also asthmatic and some asthmatics definitely find their asthma is affected by their menstrual cycle. Does she just get hives with her period or does it get worse then?

Oh my goodness! I know this sounds bonkers but I think my youngest is allergic to my period, he was hospitalised monthly for 6 months when I came on..

Ps obvs no one believed that it was connected aside from me!

I know someone who has this. Progesterone allergy. The pill has sorted it for her.

inetersting I was told progesterone allergy can be caused by the pill? And so taking a pill with progestorone if you are already intolerant to it is dangerous and will make it worse

Yes I'm the same, I start to get itchy couple days before my period and the night before is unbearable I also get really breathless like I can't catch a breath. Gp has said it's the progesterone. I just need to take antihistamines as I don't want to use any birth control.

Would birth control help it?

we were told one of the causes is hormonal birth control with progestorone, they advise coming off it if you get this and so taking progestorone when you already are intolerant to it is dangerous and will make it worse

I have wheat-dependent EIA but it's not just exercise, one of my worst triggers has been NSAIDs.

My daughter has Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. She reacts to hormones and often has hives, itching and redness. Worth looking into for your daughter as her consultant said there are lots more people being diagnosed since covid as it triggers an over response of the immune system. Everyone is different... I didn't think my daughter had it at first as she didn't have all this symptoms but it is different for each person. I hope your daughter gets some relief soon.

Omg yes my daughter was also diagnosed with pots recently. After Covid. read that it goes together with mcas?? This could be it.

but I also read that mcas is not considered real by nhs. Can you tell me what consultant you seen please?

I have idiopathic anaphylaxis also knows as MCAS and I am sure it is hormone related.

I see an allergy consultant but he is not that useful. He just shrugs and agrees that MCAS / idiopathic anaphylaxis is rare and they don’t know what causes it and they won’t do any tests after my allergy tests were all negative.
I have been given various meds to try including antihistamines.
It’s rubbish as the NHS don’t take it seriously as there is no definitive tests for this.

Hi! Do you have any updates on this? I’ve been going through a series of escalating health problems and have noticed that my allergy meds don’t work as well close to my period (I recently developed an allergy to a long term pet- sneezing, itching, hives when exercising). I’ve seen so many doctors but no one seems to give a diagnosis (positive ana but negative for the major conditions tested by a rheumatologist, no clear answer from dermatologist). It’s honestly been so exhausting trying to stay functional while going through school and having to constantly search for answers. I would love to hear if there’s a medication or specialist to look into. Thanks!

Get in touch with Mast Cell Action. They been really helpful for us. There is a FB group as well. There are consultants who really believe in it and treat it. We are in Nottingham and have great care. I know some aren't so lucky.

im certain that I had an allergic reaction to the mirena coil which is basically progesterone. No one believed me even though once removed things calmed down. Every month I get flare ups. My new gp said it is progesterone induced allergy but no help on dealing with it.