28-Year-Old Georgina Jelley Uncovers Progesterone Hypersensitivity After Multiple Misdiagnoses
A 28-year-old woman from the UK has been diagnosed with an extremely rare and bewildering medical condition that causes her to be allergic to her own menstrual cycle. The woman, Georgina Jelley, endured months of confusion and discomfort as doctors struggled to accurately diagnose her condition until she took matters into her own hands and discovered that she was suffering from progesterone hypersensitivity.
A mysterious onset of symptoms
Georgina Jelley’s ordeal began after she was fitted with an intrauterine device (IUD). Shortly thereafter, she began experiencing a series of troubling symptoms, including rashes, severe eye irritation, and intense headaches. Initially, her doctors suspected that these symptoms were linked to an allergic reaction to the IUD, leading them to prescribe anti-allergy medications.
In an interview with People, Jelley described her symptoms: “It was such a strange burning sensation in my eyes. They kept watering and my cheeks were red too. I thought maybe it was a reaction to my fabric conditioner or something. I saw my GP, who prescribed me steroids and it calmed down.”
However, the relief was short-lived. Every three weeks, like clockwork, Jelley’s symptoms would return—each time more severe than before. At one point, her eyes became so swollen that her vision was compromised. Despite a diagnosis of eczema by her doctors, Jelley felt certain that the diagnosis was incorrect. “I just knew it wasn’t,” she asserted.
Unraveling the mystery
Determined to find the root cause of her symptoms, Jelley began to observe a pattern: the flare-ups coincided with her menstrual cycle. Taking the investigation into her own hands, she delved into medical research and discovered that she was suffering from a rare condition known as progesterone hypersensitivity, where women experience allergic reactions to the progesterone hormone that surges before menstruation.
Upon having her IUD removed, Jelley noticed a significant improvement in her symptoms, further confirming her self-diagnosis.
What is progesterone hypersensitivity?
Progesterone hypersensitivity is a rare and often misunderstood condition where the body’s immune system reacts adversely to the increased levels of progesterone that occur in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The symptoms—rashes, itching, redness, and eye swelling—closely mimic those of more common allergic reactions or eczema, making it a challenge for healthcare professionals to diagnose.
Jelley is now using her experience to raise awareness about this obscure condition. Speaking to SWNS, she said, “I was told it’s a rare condition, but maybe it’s not and people just don’t know that they have it. It was shocking to think I’m actually allergic to my own periods.”
Georgina Jelley’s story highlights the challenges faced by individuals with rare conditions that are often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Her journey underscores the importance of patient advocacy, research, and awareness in the medical community. As she continues to share her experience, Jelley hopes to bring attention to progesterone hypersensitivity, potentially helping others who may be unknowingly suffering from the same condition.