Why Your Hormones and Histamine Are Making You Miserable—And How to Fix It
Have you ever felt like your body is playing some kind of cruel joke on you? One minute, you’re fine. The next, you’re flushing bright red after a glass of wine, breaking out in weird rashes, or getting a migraine or headache so intense you’re convinced your head might actually explode. Maybe your anxiety spikes for no reason, your gut is constantly bloated, your sinuses are always clogged, or your PMS has you feeling like an emotional wrecking ball.
If any of this sounds familiar, you might be dealing with histamine intolerance, mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and hormone imbalances, a combination that can make you feel like a walking allergic reaction with a side of mood swings. And the sneaky little culprit that links them all together? Oestrogen. Yep, oestrogen and histamine are besties in all the worst ways. When they team up, they can trigger a whole range of frustrating symptoms. And if no one has ever told you about this connection before, you’re not alone—most doctors don’t even check for it. But once you understand how this works, you can start taking back control and actually feel like yourself again.
So, let’s talk about what’s really going on inside your body and, more importantly, what you can do about it.
The Oestrogen-Histamine Nightmare (a.k.a. Why You Feel Worse at Certain Times of the Month)
Ever notice that your migraines, bloating, itching, or anxiety flare up right before your period or during ovulation? That’s oestrogen and histamine teaming up to ruin your week.
Histamine isn’t just the thing that makes you sneeze during allergy season. It’s actually a neurotransmitter and immune system messenger that helps regulate digestion, brain function, and, surprise, your hormones. Normally, your body breaks it down just fine, but if histamine builds up faster than your body can clear it, symptoms start piling up.
Now, enter oestrogen.
Oestrogen and histamine are like partners in crime. When your oestrogen levels rise—like during ovulation or the days leading up to your period—it tells your mast cells (those immune cells that release histamine) to release more histamine into your system (1, 2). At the same time, histamine stimulates your ovaries to produce more oestrogen (3), creating a never-ending cycle of inflammation, irritation, and absolute chaos.
If you already have oestrogen dominance (which is common with PMS, fibroids, endometriosis, or perimenopause), you’re even more likely to experience histamine-related symptoms. And if you’re low in progesterone, which helps counteract histamine, things can get even messier.
Oh, and it gets worse: Oestrogen also blocks the enzyme that breaks down histamine, diamine oxidase (DAO) (4), meaning your body can’t get rid of it fast enough. So now you’ve got more histamine, more inflammation, and more symptoms. It’s no wonder you feel like a walking allergic reaction half the time.
How to Break the Cycle and Feel Like Yourself Again
Alright, so now that we know histamine and oestrogen are ganging up on you, how do we stop them from wreaking havoc?
First, let’s help your body clear out excess histamine. That means cutting back on histamine-heavy foods—the ones that might be secretly making you feel worse. If you are not sure where to start, check my Guide to a Low Histamine Diet. If food alone isn’t cutting it, some people find DAO enzyme supplements helpful when eating histamine-rich foods.
Next, balance your oestrogen levels. Support your liver to help metabolise excess oestrogen by adding in cruciferous veggies (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale), dandelion tea, turmeric, and milk thistle—all great for liver support. And yes, cutting back on alcohol, processed foods, and high-sugar snacks and managing stress can help too.
Another big game-changer? Stabilising your mast cells (those little troublemakers that release histamine). Certain nutrients help calm them down, including quercetin (found in onions, apples, and green tea), vitamin C (a natural antihistamine), and omega-3s (from fatty fish or flaxseeds). These help lower histamine naturally and reduce inflammation at the source.
Let’s talk hormones. Progesterone opposes oestrogen, so if you’re dealing with oestrogen dominance, supporting healthy progesterone levels can help. One way to do this? Managing stress. Chronic stress lowers progesterone and makes histamine worse. Prioritising sleep, mindfulness, and gentle exercise (instead of intense workouts that spike cortisol) can also make a big difference.
And if this all feels overwhelming—don’t stress. You don’t have to figure it out alone.
You Don’t Have to Keep Feeling Like This
If this all sounds way too familiar, you’re not imagining it. The connection between histamine, oestrogen, and mast cells is a huge missing piece in women’s health, but once you address it, things can start changing fast.
You don’t have to keep guessing—or dealing with symptoms that make you feel like your body is betraying you. Let’s get to the root cause and actually fix this.
Book a free discovery call today, and let’s figure out exactly what’s going on with your hormones, histamine levels, and mast cells. I work with women just like you to create personalised plans that actually work—so you can stop feeling like a walking allergic reaction and start feeling like yourself again.
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Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or the use of supplements. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog. The supplements mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary, and it is important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of action for your specific health needs.