Progestogen Sensitization: a Unique Female Presentation of Anaphylaxis

Progestogen hypersensitivity (PH) is a condition which typically occurs in women in childbearing years with a spectrum of symptoms ranging from urticaria with or without angioedema, dermatitis to systemic anaphylaxis. Herein, a clinical case of PH is presented followed by a discussion on the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of PH.

Progestogen hypersensitivity (a.k.a. "autoimmune progesterone dermatitis") symptoms are associated with exogenous progestin exposure (e.g., contraceptive medicines, in vitro fertilization therapy) or endogenous progesterone from progesterone surges during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. This condition can be difficult to recognize due to its heterogeneous clinical presentation. The mechanism of PH is believed to be primarily IgE-mediated; however, less commonly other immune responses may be involved. There is now a useful progesterone specific IgE immunoassay to assist in diagnosis and well-defined treatment algorithms that can be used to successfully manage PH. The epidemiology of PH is still poorly elucidated but is likely to be encountered by clinicians and especially allergists given the extensive use of oral contraceptives and increased use of supra-physiologic doses of progesterone required to support pregnancy in IVF. Including PH in the differential diagnosis of women presenting with cyclic hypersensitivity will accelerate diagnosis and successful management of this condition.