Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: elle on June 05, 2025, 05:36:37 PM
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Hi, I developed hives one day out of the blue during peri-menopause, 5 years later they've subsided a little but still cause me problems on a daily basis. I've also have dermatagraphia since puberty. I'm not sure if the hives are related to menopause as I have a connective tissue disorder and mass cell skin activation might be an underlying factor, but I suspect they are. I'm thinking I might need to go on antihistimines long term but that may have some effect on my ligament laxity. I'm starting to scratch them in my sleep and wake up with a painful and red face! Wondering if anyone else developed hives during peri/meno and if they have found anything useful or been told anything of use from GP? Thank you x
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Hi, I developed hives one day out of the blue during peri-menopause, 5 years later they've subsided a little but still cause me problems on a daily basis. I've also have dermatagraphia since puberty. I'm not sure if the hives are related to menopause as I have a connective tissue disorder and mass cell skin activation might be an underlying factor, but I suspect they are. I'm thinking I might need to go on antihistimines long term but that may have some effect on my ligament laxity. I'm starting to scratch them in my sleep and wake up with a painful and red face! Wondering if anyone else developed hives during peri/meno and if they have found anything useful or been told anything of use from GP? Thank you x
It did happen once. It was night time so I didn't get to speak to a GP but taking antihistamines worked pretty well.
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Hi Katejo, thanks for that, I'm glad they helped. I'm guessing you bought over the counter and just did a short course if they were a one off? I'm wondering whether I need a prescription version due to them being chronic. I was hoping HRT might help dampen them but it hasn't had any effect. Thanks for letting me know.
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I was plagued with hives and heat rash in the early part of the menopause. As always, it was caused by low oestrogen levels and it completely disappeared once I got my levels up and I never get them now.
I'm in Spain so I live with very high temperatures but once I hit the menopause, I was unable to control my temperature and although I have never had hot flushes or night sweats, I used to sweat like hell in the daytime and even in air-conditioning which is a bad sign. I think it was the endless sweating that led to the heat hives which used to cover my torso.
You probably need a higher dose of oestrogen.
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The only way to know if a symptom is peri/menopause related is to adequately treat the ovarian hormone deficiency (including testosterone - this is particularly helpful for both dry skin and joint laxity but you would have to say it was for low libido on the NHS) and see if they improve.
If not, then I would not fear taking antihistamines although make sure you choose one without a significant anticholinergic burden.
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I was plagued with hives and heat rash in the early part of the menopause. As always, it was caused by low oestrogen levels and it completely disappeared once I got my levels up and I never get them now.
I'm in Spain so I live with very high temperatures but once I hit the menopause, I was unable to control my temperature and although I have never had hot flushes or night sweats, I used to sweat like hell in the daytime and even in air-conditioning which is a bad sign. I think it was the endless sweating that led to the heat hives which used to cover my torso.
You probably need a higher dose of oestrogen.
Oh that sounds rough, sorry you had to deal with them but glad things have settled now. Funnily enough the day it happened was a really hot day I was sitting outside in the sun (it was covid so we had to stay outside with people visiting) They haven't gone away with HRT and I'm still experimenting with doses and their consequences. Good to know that getting your hormone levels right seemed to help. Thank you :)
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The only way to know if a symptom is peri/menopause related is to adequately treat the ovarian hormone deficiency (including testosterone - this is particularly helpful for both dry skin and joint laxity but you would have to say it was for low libido on the NHS) and see if they improve.
If not, then I would not fear taking antihistamines although make sure you choose one without a significant anticholinergic burden.
Thank you, it's such a long journey isn't it? I have testosterone down as something to discuss and have heard about it being refused other than low libido. Mine is at zero but I imagine I still won't get it. I've no idea how willingly they prescribe it for libido.I'm struggling to get anything from referrals to treatments but can only try!
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Hi Katejo, thanks for that, I'm glad they helped. I'm guessing you bought over the counter and just did a short course if they were a one off? I'm wondering whether I need a prescription version due to them being chronic. I was hoping HRT might help dampen them but it hasn't had any effect. Thanks for letting me know.
Yes only OTC ones. I have never had a prescription
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Thank you, it's such a long journey isn't it? I have testosterone down as something to discuss and have heard about it being refused other than low libido. Mine is at zero but I imagine I still won't get it. I've no idea how willingly they prescribe it for libido.I'm struggling to get anything from referrals to treatments but can only try!
If they think there's potentially a male partner not getting his oats they will send it over to your house in a blue light ambulance.
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Absolutely!
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After weeks of calm skin I itch all over today >:( ............ not on HRT but do have a DH who will scratch gently where necessary ::)
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Medications can also cause hives, such as opiates like codeine in case on any new ones.
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After weeks of calm skin I itch all over today >:( ............ not on HRT but do have a DH who will scratch gently where necessary ::)
Ooh, I hope it doesn't last too long. Everything flares up if I scratch!
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Medications can also cause hives, such as opiates like codeine in case on any new ones.
Thanks, I will double check with GP. The hives came out before I went on pain meds. Although they seemed to have been triggered by the sun, they don't flare up in the sun/heat any more than on a regular day. Another mystery!
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Tnx. It settled after a deep bath, I think the stuff that I laid in last night dried out my skin, though why my scalp should itch :-\ ::). Better now.