label: autoimmune progesterone dermatitis
label_lc: autoimmune progesterone dermatitis
description: "Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis (APD) is primarily characterized by a recurrent skin rash that varies in severity depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. The rash generally appears during the second half of the cycle when levels of the hormone, progesterone, begin to rise and it subsides shortly after menstruation. Although the exact underlying cause of APD is not well understood, it is thought to involve an abnormal immune reaction (autoimmune response) triggered by a woman's own progesterone. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment may include topical (applied to the skin) medications, systemic corticosteroids, hormone therapy to suppress the production of progesterone, and/or surgical removal of the ovaries."