Abstract
IgE recognition of autoantigens might augment allergic inflammation in the absence of exogenous allergen exposure. Among allergy and autoimmunity, there is disproportionate representation of males before puberty and females after puberty, suggesting a role for sex hormones. Hormone allergy is an allergic reaction where the offending allergens are one's own hormones. It is an immune reaction to the hormones, which can interfere with the normal function of the hormones. It can occur perimenstrually in women along with the variation in menstrual cycle. The perimenstrual allergies are about the cyclic abundance of the hormone causing a cyclic expression of allergic symptoms. The inflammatory mechanisms of allergic reactions to hormone allergens, which are intrinsic to the body, are the same as the mechanisms of allergic reactions to external allergens.
Highlights
Allergy is a hypersensitivity disease based on body’s immune recognition of external allergens when they are inhaled, ingested, or contacted
Exposure of allergic individuals to external allergens can lead to immediate type inflammation caused by degranulation of mast cells via IgE-allergen immune complexes and the release of inflammatory mediators, proteases, and proinflammatory cytokines
This gender dimorphism in the immune function of females could be due to sex hormones. In addition to their effects on sexual differentiation and reproduction, sex hormones influence the immune system. This theory is supported by observations that the female immune response changes throughout the menstrual cycle
Summary
Allergy is a hypersensitivity disease based on body’s immune recognition of external allergens when they are inhaled, ingested, or contacted. An estimated 75 percent of those living with autoimmune diseases are females [5,6,7] This gender dimorphism in the immune function of females could be due to sex hormones. In addition to their effects on sexual differentiation and reproduction, sex hormones influence the immune system This theory is supported by observations that the female immune response changes throughout the menstrual cycle. The symptoms associated with some autoimmune diseases change with natural changes in estrogen and progesterone such as those that occur during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and at menopause [5,6,7]. Studies of women indicate associations of asthma with natural hormonal status like puberty [17], menstrual cycle [16], pregnancy [18], and menopause [19]. There is information on the relationship of hormones, allergy, and autoimmune diseases, this relationship is, poorly understood
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