Female hormones and histamine
The most important hormones for the female cycle are estrogen and progesterone. They must exist in a specific ratio to one another. Furthermore, they are closely linked to histamine and, depending on the hormone level, promote either histamine degradation or histamine release.
Female hormones: What is the connection with histamine?
A woman's hormonal composition varies from day to day of her cycle. However, especially during puberty, menopause, pregnancy, or during or after the use of hormonal contraceptives, a hormonal imbalance can occur. In addition, there is an interesting connection between hormones and histamine.
What are hormones?
Hormones are messenger substances that allow different organs in the human body to communicate with each other. Hormones travel from the endocrine glands to the body's cells, primarily via the bloodstream. However, their effect is exerted exclusively on specific target cells with specialized docking sites. Depending on the type of hormone, there is a different receptor that acts like a lock for that specific hormone. They are responsible for a wide variety of bodily functions, though they often influence one another. The most important endocrine glands are
- Pancreas
- Adrenal glands
- Thyroid gland
- Ovaries
- Testes
- Brain
Bioidentical hormones
Bioidentical hormones have the same structure as the body's own hormones and therefore fit onto their cell receptors. The molecular structure is created in a laboratory from plant-based substances. They share the characteristic of triggering the same effect as the body's own hormones.
Synthetic hormones (xenohormones)
Synthetic hormones are active ingredients with a hormone-like effect, such as the birth control pill. They are manufactured artificially, which alters their molecular structure. Unlike the body's own hormones, synthetic hormones can trigger some side effects.
Plant-based hormones (phytohormones)
Plant-based hormones can positively influence the human hormonal balance. They are found in fruit and vegetables, spices, and herbs. Plant-based hormones (secondary plant compounds) such as phytoestrogen or phytoprogesterone are very similar to female sex hormones. Low-histamine phytoestrogens include, for example, flaxseeds, broccoli, sesame seeds, berries, and garlic. Yam root, fennel, chaste tree, or lady's mantle contain low-histamine phytoprogesterone.
In line with the topic of women's health, we have developed FemFit – by women, for women. The formula combines selected plant-based ingredients such as chaste tree, yarrow, and lady's mantle with vitamin B6, which contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity. FemFit is vegan and suitable for a low-histamine, low-fructose, gluten-free, and lactose-free diet.
It is not uncommon for women to suffer from a hormonal imbalance during their lives. The most common form of hormonal dysbalance is estrogen dominance, which is usually accompanied by a progesterone deficiency. An excess of estrogen can lead to mast cell activation and thus to histamine release. The enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO) is required for histamine degradation. If there is too much estrogen in the body, the enzyme is weakened, which in turn triggers or intensifies histamine-related issues. Progesterone, on the other hand, inhibits histamine release from mast cells and lowers estrogen levels.
Hormones and pregnancy
During pregnancy, existing histamine symptoms can improve because, during this time, the histamine-degrading enzyme DAO is produced 55 times more. This ensures efficient histamine degradation.
Hormones and menopause: Taking hormones during menopause
During the climacteric, or menopause, the interplay of hormones also changes. The function of the ovaries gradually declines, causing the progesterone level to drop steadily. In this phase of the female body, increased estrogen dominance and histamine issues can also occur. Various therapies are available.
