This article will cover must-know information about hormones and eczema. We’ll explain how and why hormone fluctuations, particularly in females, can cause a hormonal rash or eczema.
Hormonal Fluctuations Linked to Eczema
Hormones are chemical messengers that control all of your body’s functions. It’s normal and healthy to experience hormone fluctuations. But those fluctuations may impact your eczema, making symptoms more or less severe.
To understand why, you need to understand a bit about the immune system. Researchers believe that eczema is caused by an immune system that’s not functioning properly. Hormones affect two types of immune cells: Th1 cells and Th2 cells. Th2 cells have been linked to allergy responses and eczema.Certain hormones, including estrogen and progesterone, can cause more Th2 activity. Androgens, including testosterone, can decrease Th2 activity. As your levels of these hormones change, you may experience changes in eczema symptoms. That’s especially true during these five stages of hormonal fluctuation.
1. Puberty
Puberty is a time when a child’s body undergoes changes that make it an adults’ body. Both sexes experience hormonal changes. Interestingly, puberty is often a time of fewer eczema symptoms. There are a few reasons for that.
Interestingly, for many, eczema improves before or during puberty. There are a few reasons for that. To begin with, up to 80% of people with eczema outgrow the condition. This can coincide with puberty. In addition, the oily skin often associated with puberty can counteract dry skin associated with eczema. Unfortunately for those teenagers who do not outgrow eczema, the physical appearance of eczema can lead to emotional distress.
Still, skin changes during puberty can be challenging for teens with eczema. They must develop a skincare routine to manage their condition.
2. Menstruation
Hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle are closely related to eczema symptoms. Many notice that their symptoms get worse in the week before their period. This is a time when estrogen levels dip, but progesterone levels rise rapidly. The symptoms may last, leading to eczema during period days too.
3. Pregnancy
During pregnancy, your body has more Th2 immune cell activity. This helps protect the growing fetus, but also makes you more prone to eczema. About half of women with eczema have worsening symptoms during pregnancy. Your OB-GYN and dermatologist can help you find eczema treatments that are safe during pregnancy.
4. Menopause
During menopause, both progesterone and estrogen levels drop. While this can lead to less Th2 immune cell activity, it poses risks. Drops in estrogen are associated with drier skin, changes to the skin microbiome, and slower repair of damage to the skin. That can all make symptoms of eczema worse.
If menopause makes your eczema symptoms worse, talk to your healthcare provider about whether hormone replacement therapy might help.
5. Birth Control
There’s no clear research on a birth control eczema connection. However, birth control can cause other rashes associated with changes with estrogen and progesterone levels, so it’s plausible that birth control could be linked to eczema. If you think your birth control is making eczema worse, talk with your healthcare provider.
Signs of a Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal fluctuations are a normal part of adult life, especially for females. However, sometimes underlying medical conditions like thyroid disease and stress can cause a hormone imbalance.
Symptoms of a hormone imbalance can include:
Sudden changes to your weightTrouble sleepingFeeling hot or coldSkin changes, including dry skin or acneAnxiety and mood changesChanges to your libido
If you’re concerned about a hormone imbalance, ask your healthcare provider about a blood test that can check your hormone levels.
Balancing Hormones to Control Eczema
Many of the impacts of hormones and eczema are due to normal hormone fluctuations. In that case, you don’t need to balance your hormones to control symptoms. However, you can talk with your healthcare provider about ways to manage eczema symptoms during hormonal times including right before your period, during pregnancy, and during menopause.
Summary
Hormonal changes can make eczema symptoms worse, particularly for females. Female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone can cause more Th2 immune cell activity, which is associated with eczema symptoms. That’s why you might experience a hormonal rash during pregnancy or just before your period. During menopause, drops in these hormones can lead to dry, damaged skin that is more prone to eczema.
A Word From Verywell
Hormone fluctuations are a normal and healthy part of your body. While there’s no way to get rid of hormonal fluctuations, better understanding the hormones in your body can help you predict when your eczema symptoms might flare. During those times, you can work with your healthcare provider to find treatment options that control symptoms.
