Menses and pregnancy affect symptoms in Hidradenitis Suppurativa:
A cross-sectional study
Synopsis:
The results of the previous smaller studies investigating the prevalence of perimenstrual flares and change of symptoms during pregnancy are in line with our findings. A flare of HS symptoms around menses was most frequently reported, by 44% to 63% of women.3, 4 An amelioration of symptoms during pregnancy was most often described, namely in 20% to 83% of subjects.3, 4 A major strength of our study is the relatively large sample size compared with previous studies. However, our survey-based study is limited by recall bias and a lack of information on the influence of reproductive elements (eg, menarche, menopause) or the use of hormonal contraceptives on the course of HS symptoms. Notwithstanding, the results provide additional clinical relevant insight into the course of symptoms in women with HS.
In conclusion, this study suggests a significant correlation between perimenstrual deterioration of HS symptoms and amelioration during pregnancy. This correlation could be explained from a hormonal perspective in that estrogen has been shown to inhibit proinflammatory Th1 and Th17 cytokines and thus favors an immunosuppressive environment.5 Nonetheless, a substantial subset of women have no alteration of HS disease course perimenstrually or during pregnancy.
Full circulation research study link:
https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(16)30502-3/fulltext
Full circulation research study PDF:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E7qWWPDySMZxO8IL2c0gyecidn1UhYSf/view?usp=drivesdk