hives before monthly periods

I'm so grateful for finding this thread.  Very similar issues as most all of the women on here.  My hives worsen around the time I ovulate and right before, during, and after my period.  Question for you all: Do any of you have ovarian cysts?  I do have one on my left ovary and I'm really starting to think it is what's causing the hives as they've worsened along with the pain this cyst is causing me.  Actually started on BCP again in November, which caused a huge outbreak, so I stopped and now the pattern continues.  Any thoughts on ovarian cysts would be greatly appreciated.  Good luck to all!

Wow, you are all so young! I am 54 and started getting hives last year with the start of intermittent periods. They are extremely red, itchy and they burn. The variety of Doctors (gyn, derm, internal med. Qigong,...have been of little help and I even had a woman internist  suggest I seek help from a psychologist. I know intuitively my hives are hormone related and appreciate all of the posts. It is 2am and I cannot sleep due to the hives. Omega, primrose oil internally and Slices of cucumber on the hives help ease the itch (works better than aloe). The drugs have not helped so I am not taking any of them anymore. Researching and learning. I will keep you posted! Hang in there sisters.

Hi, I am currently 19 years old and I have been dealing with hives for what seams a very long time!! To be more exact, I have been dealing with hives for 7 years already. I first got hives back in 7th grade when I was 12 years old. I got my very first period two days before my 12th birthday. A few months after that I started noticing raised ring-like rashes on my leg that lasted for about 2 weeks or more. I would get them almost every month or so. It started off as a small bump the size of a rice grain. Then it progressed into a circle and got bigger as the days passed. Eventually a few of these "rings" or "circles" would group together and make even bigger odd shaped rings. They were never itchy but very ugly and embarrassing. Most people with hives do itch, but I have read that not all people get itchy, like me. My doctor attempted to treat me twice and failed and finally referred me to a dermatologist. The dermatologist examined me and did a biopsy right away to rule out dangerous diseases that cause hives. Thankfully the biopsy came back negative but I was still  didn't know what was the cause of these "rings". She said it was probably a reaction my body was producing due to stress and it would either go away on its own or I would have to live with it forever. That was it, that was her final conclusion I was so angry! I decided to go to another dermatologist, who reviewed the biopsy results and looked over my rash. This dermatologist finally concluded that it was hives. If you didn't already know, hives is caused by an allergic reaction to something. I was glad I could finally put a name to what I had. But the bad part was that we didn't know WHAT was causing my hives. My dermatologist just gave me a pamphlet covering the basics on Hives and the common causes if it. He told me that it was really hard determining the cause of hives in a lot of people because almost anything can cause Hives, from food, medications, temperatures, and how tight you wear your clothing. He told me the best thing to do was keep a journal of all the foods I consumed and activities I did every single day to try to find out what was causing my Hives. He also prescribed me Ammonium Lactate cream to ease the redness and itchiness even though it never really itched and Zyrtec which works like Bennadryl. I stopped taking the Zyrtec because it did not help and only continued using the cream because it helped reduce the redness a bit but also didn't help eliminate the problem. I didn't go back to another dermatologist because I felt like it would be another dead end and decided that I would just have to deal with it and wear pants when ever I got them, even if it was 100 degrees outside. It probably has been 2 years since I saw the last dermatologist and now my hives have gotten worse. Before I only got them by my calves, now I get them there and all over my inner and back thighs along with my arms. They are still not as bad as some peoples but they are very very ugly and embarrassing. I cannot wear shorts or skirts and anything that reveals my legs because people start staring and pointing. Frustrated by these ongoing hives, I decided to do deeper research the past few days. I read this thread and finally a light bulb lit up in my head. I had never thought of associating my hives with my menstrual cycle. But now it seems like the only reasonable explanation. I did get my period two days before my 12th birthday and started noticing my hives a few months after. Now That I have put more attention to it, I start noticing my hives about a week or a little over a week before I get my period. My hives last during my period but start to fade away and are gone a few days after my period. Your menstrual cycle has a lot to do with your hormones so I googled "hormone related hives" and that's when I found out about Progesterone Allergy or APD ( Autoimmune Progesterone Dermatitis) which basically means being allergic to progesterone. Progesterone is a steroid hormone that our ovaries produce and is found in high levels when ovulating or pregnant. Even though it is rare,  APD happens when the immune system fails to identify a chemical or enzyme produced by the body, and it interprets it as an invasion by a foreign particle or pathogen. Basically, our bodies produce a hormone called Progesterone during ovulation and pregnancy but for some reason detects it as a 'foreign' pathogen, so our immune system tries to fight it off just like it would with any other unknown pathogen, resulting in our hives. Like I stated before, this hormone called progesterone is in high levels during ovulation, which occurs before you actually get your period. That is why you get hives before you get your period. When you finally get your period, progesterone levels start to normalize, which is when your hives start to calm down and become less noticeable, and then are eventually gone a few days after your period is done. Here is a link that explains it a bit better:

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I find it weird that most dermatologists are not even aware of this, which is why many women suffer from unresolved period related hives. Your dermatologist can test you for APD by injecting a small dosage into your arm and seeing if you react to it. In an article I read, a woman said that it took only 15 minutes to see a result and was finally diagnosed with APD. I also read that only 50 people have been officially diagnosed with APD, probably because most dermatologists are not aware of this allergy. The first woman to ever be diagnosed is dated back to the 1920's, which is not that long ago. This is her story:

 

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I myself have not been tested for this yet due to the fact that I just found out about it, but will be bringing it to my dermatologists attention next time I go. There are many articles on the internet about APD so just google away. I hope this helped you guys and sorry for the long comment

I also forgot to mention that Progesterone is found in Milk, so it would be best to stay away from milk because it might worsen your hives.

Another thing I forgot to mention is that when you are diagnosed with Autoimmune Progeterone Dermatitis (APD), the options to cure this are quite scary, especially for younger women like me who eventually want to have children. One option would be to remove your ovaries and uterus, another would be to have therapies suppress ovulation, like leuprolide :-). But this is only after antihistamines have failed.

I am writing this post from my bed in Norway. I cannot belive i found this! I have been suffering from urticaria for about 15 months, every day. As many of you, i have seen doctors, tried medicines but nothing has really worked. Had my levonova (birth control) removed erlier this week. Got my first period after that today. I am bleeding enormesly, had a horrible break out og hives, and passed out when i tok a shower. Took 25mg prednisone, 180mg telfast, zantac. I feeling better now, but this i mean is a very reason and clear indication that this is hormone related. I thank you all for sharing this with me, i have learned a lot and now i can bring to my doktor concreat suggestions about how to go foreward. This dag started very bad for me, but now i have sone new hope. From my Heart i thank you all! 

I've had chronic hives for 9 years and am definitely in peri-menopause for about 6 years. I'm currently almost 48.  Mine too flair when ovulating and again about 2 weeks later when my flow begins, each time for 2-3 days..  One topical thing that helps immensely (especially for the itch factor, and somewhat—but not always as much for the heat factor) is Dr. Bronner's liquid soap, especially the Peppermint one.  Take a spray bottle (let's say about 6 inches tall and 2 inches wide and fill with less than 1/2 inch of Dr. Bronner's then add water.  That's it. Spray away on hives and let air dry. Itch stops within 1-2 minutes. Just a little mist/squirt will do it.  May need to reapply after a few hours or if rinsed off by accident.  You don't want the mix too soapy, but more like water with a splash of the Dr. Bronners. You can use any "scent" but the peppermint one is definitely best because adds a cooling effect while evaporating on your skin.  And totally safe & healthy...it's SOAP!!   For heat (hives that are radiating burning hot, I apply a single ice cube right on them (no baggie or towel), and boom it melts in like 3-4 minutes.  Sometimes have to do a 2nd cube, but then heat stops and if you apply Dr. Bronner's afterwards, you're good to go.  Also, try relaxing and letting go of any control issues.  FLOW with life and definitely prayer helps too.  God bless.... a fellow sufferer. 

im 20 years old n i go thru the same thing it just started i  the beginning of last year i on the depo shot n take clarentine but boy its a pain in my ass at least im not alone

That sounds like hypothyroidism. What did your endo say?

THANK U YOU ALL HAVE BEEN A BLESSING TO ME. IM PREGNANT AND IT NEVER STOPS 

I have been getting them for the past 2yrs starting on my hands and feet now all over.... I like you have been to derm allergist taken predisone and the shot.... I am now taking 12 different antihistamines for them.... I also want answers...

Hi!  I get hives, head to toe, and headaches with my cycle, too.  I'm 48 and got them the 1st time when I was 40ish.  A few years ago I found a preventative medicine dr who tested my hormone levels and found that my testosterone was extrememly low.  My other hormones were low also, but he thought giving me testosterone would raise the others, something about a trickle down effect.  I had a perfect thyroid.  So I took the rx for 3 yrs and never once had a hive or headache! It cleared up ALOT of other things for me, too, like PMS!  He moved and now I have no rx:(  I'm on my third round of steroids.  Its unbelievable that drs will prescribe them instead of testing hormones even though I tell them exactly what to test.  I pray you all find answers, too!!

I am convinced its related! My mother was given thus exposing me to intrauterine hormones similar to DES? I have had ovarian cyst since onset menses! Theres a direct correlation. I think the cysts that do nit rupture are the immune disruptor types???

I have found something that helped tremendously, Betaine HCL (hydrochloric acid) with pepsin! mind you, i am still in the process of researching what the connection is in why it helps, but it's been a huge relief.  Also important to keep in mind is that it must NOT be taken on an empty stomach and can do damage to your stomach lining.  Don't chew the tablets, just swallow right before you eat a  meal or take immediately after.  Don't take with small snacks or fruit.  Meals with protein and carbs are better suited.  From what i've read, you can take 1-5 pills per meal depending on your personal needs, but I recommend just starting with one first and go from there.  I've also read that you can increase until you have a warm sensation, but read up on it more to be careful.  One per meal has worked great for me! Betaine HCL has multiple uses, one main one is to combat low stomach acid which has a plethora of horrible side effects i was not aware of.  It appears that low stomach acid is a cause of many ills! Maybe there is a connection there for many of us?  I am in perimenopause right now and just started developing hives prior to and during menses.  I initially took the betaine to relieve temporary heartburn and my hives disappeared!!! Anyway, it's definitely worth looking into more and may be an answer for some of you.  My heart goes out to my suffering fellow-mates!  GOD bless!

Ladies, I've been suffering with hives for the past year and a half.  They start on my scalp and neck, then appear on my lower waist.  My first breakout was total body.  After a round of fattening steriods, I wound up in the emergency room freaking out from the mental effects of steroids and hives so severe I looked like the elephant man.  I've been taking allegra since my first breakout, I just couldn't take ALL the other allergy meds and work 60 hours a week.  I work in a very hot place and thought the heat may have been the cause but they continued in the winter.  My husband finally brought to my attention how worse my hives got just before and during my period.  My GYN thinks I'm nuts and keeps pushing the hormone replacements.  I'm 45 years old and not about to get back on the birth control.  I read someones reply about the fish oil.  Sounds like a good idea.  Will let you all know how it works out. : )

My name is Jenni and I have had hives off and on for the last 11 years. First it started around the time when I moved out of my parents house and into my own home at 20 years old in Oregon, although I can't be sure, it may have started before this and I just didn't notice it as much. I had a history of eczema as a child but nothing more than a patch here or there that would go away with moisturizers. At first doctors thought I was having allergic reactions My face and neck would break out in itchy hives and I went to the ER a few times, they pumped me full of steroids and sent me home. It seemed to have no reason and would come on and clear up sporadically. I went on and off prednisone, which would clear it up temporarily but then would come back within a few months. I had extensive allergy skin testing and reacted to everything including the control (saline solution). The doctors agreed that its highly unlikely that I am allergic to everything and diagnosed me with skin hypersensitivity. I have dust mite covers on everything, use dye and perfume free shampoos, conditioners, soap, hand soap, laundry detergent and dryer sheets. I wash everything I own at least once per week. No carpets, only wood floors and tile. I vacuum with a Hepa filter and have a Hepa air cleaner running constantly. Just as the rashes were seeming to get worse I moved to San Diego and all of my symptoms disappeared. I even lived in a house with carpet and pets. Since moving I noticed that though my skin was clear I was having stomach issues. I talked to my cousin that is a ND and she suggested I try a gluten free diet. She said many people with chronic skin conditions and stomach isses are sensitive to gluten. After being really strict gluten-free for 3 months the stomach issues disappeared and the skin issues were gone, including the minor eczema I had been having since childhood. 

I have now been gluten free for 4 years and living here in San Diego for 5 years and the hives are slowly coming back. I recently saw an allergist who did a blood allergy test and everything came back negative. I have tried the antihistamine cocktail (I feel the same with and without the antihistamines, some days are better some days are worse) and doxepin (which just made me extremely tired) and am now back on prednisone and triamcinalone (topical steroid cream).

Recently I noticed that I was itchier during my period and started a journal, it seems like it may be hormonal and had an appointment with my internist to discuss possibilities of hormones causing rashes and to change my birth control. She has put me on the lowest hormonal oral contraceptive she can find and changed the prescription so I can take continuously for 3 months before having a period. I also began taking fish oil at the suggestion of the allergist that noted I had very dry skin. I also recently (last 3 months) changed to a whole-food diet: no gluten, no dairy, no preservatives, organic and antibiotic free as often as I can. I cook everything from scratch and it seems to help some. 

I will post again in a few months and let you know if the fish oil and change in contraceptives help. 

I am extremely frustrated and while my doctors are trying to help they have no real solutions for me at this point.