Wissenswertes

Histamine intolerance and menopause

The period before menopause is also commonly known as the "perimenopause" and describes the time in a woman's life when her hormonal balance naturally changes. In medical terminology, it is also referred to as the climacteric . Menopause affects women between the ages of 45 and 55 .

Some women reach this stage of life five years earlier or five years later. In this blog post, we want to take a closer look at the connection between histamine and menopause . What effects does histamine intolerance have on menopause? Can menopause even promote histamine intolerance?

What symptoms can occur during menopause?

Because the age pyramid has changed significantly in recent years, one in ten women is going through menopause . Hormones change during menopause: Estrogen levels in this age group decline , and the ovaries become increasingly inactive , leading to irregular ovulation and menstrual cycles. Accompanying symptoms are common. Approximately one-third experience mild, severe, or no symptoms. Typical signs of menopause include:

  • Sweating
  • Hot flashes
  • loss of vitality
  • Sleep disorders
  • vaginal dryness
  • dry skin
  • Headache
  • dizziness
  • weight gain
  • Anxiety and exhaustion
  • Loss of libido
  • depressive moods
  • Mood swings
  • increased irritability
  • increased sensitivity of the mucous membranes.

Sweating woman

Histamine, hormones and menopause

Weight gain during menopause can be attributed to altered glucose tolerance . Furthermore, the basal metabolic rate decreases after menopause, muscle mass gradually declines, and fat stores increase. In most cases, the physical activity of affected women also decreases.

Histamine and menopause: Tips for relieving menopausal symptoms

In addition to changes in body composition, a woman's progesterone and estrogen levels also change . When estrogen levels drop, the sensitivity of the mucous membranes within the digestive tract increases. This can lead to a higher incidence of food intolerances such as lactose intolerance , fructose intolerance , or histamine intolerance.

As estrogen levels steadily decline during menopause and the intestinal lining becomes more sensitive, bowel movements slow down. This, along with medication, often leads to constipation in menopausal women. Adjusting your diet during this phase of life is particularly important to support bowel function and reduce the burden on the liver. These tips can help if you are going through menopause:

  • Adapted nutritional profile : Due to the potential increase in body weight, a nutritional medical history and an exercise profile are recommended. A symptom-related food diary can be helpful here.
  • Increased nutrient density/nutrient intake : From around the age of 40, the human body copes less effectively with an unhealthy lifestyle. To prevent menopausal symptoms, it is recommended to eat a balanced, moderate, and regular diet. Seasonal, fresh, and wholesome foods of organic quality are ideal. Products free of heavy metals , pesticides, antibiotics, and hormones significantly reduce the burden on the female metabolism.
  • Foods with natural estrogen content : To keep estrogen levels in natural balance, foods such as flaxseed, garlic or berries can be helpful.
  • Avoid trans fats : Hydrogenated vegetable fats in margarine can significantly increase the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease or arteriosclerosis. They can also raise cholesterol levels. Therefore, ensure a balanced ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. You can have your fatty acid profile tested in a laboratory.
  • Sufficient vitamin D : A vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of osteoporosis. To gain insight into your vitamin D levels—especially during the winter months—a blood test to measure your vitamin D and calcium levels is recommended. Calcium-rich foods such as broccoli, pointed cabbage, fennel, and kohlrabi, as well as fatty fish, can counteract the development of osteoporosis.
  • Regular blood sugar checks : Since hot flashes and night sweats are usually caused by a drop in blood sugar, regular checks often provide useful information. Red palm oil is rich in vitamin E and can counteract hot flashes and night sweats.
  • Balancing disorders of the central nervous system : B vitamins have a positive effect on the central nervous system. Whole grain products, nuts, and seeds are recommended. Equally important is an increased intake of phytochemicals through vegetables. Avoiding caffeine and theine-containing beverages reduces sleep disturbances. Furthermore, the motto is: eat mindfully in an enjoyable atmosphere.


Does menopause have an impact on histamine intolerance?

The signs of histamine intolerance are varied: from headaches and gastrointestinal problems to rashes and mood swings, a wide range of symptoms can occur. Histamine intolerance most commonly affects women, and in 75% of cases , it is middle-aged women . Histamine-related symptoms are more frequent in menopausal women, around the age of 50. What does this tell us about the connection between histamine and menopause?

Estrogen levels and menstrual cycle: Effects on histamine levels?

Scientists believe there is a connection between hormone levels and histamine breakdown . Hormonal imbalances during menopause could lead to reduced histamine breakdown . This theory is supported by the fact that menstrual cramps can be a sign of histamine intolerance. However, the precise mechanisms are still not fully understood.

It is also difficult to determine during the patient history when the symptoms of histamine intolerance first appeared, as the process is often gradual and incorrect diagnoses have been made during treatment. However, it has been observed that women with menopausal symptoms have been able to alleviate their symptoms with a low-histamine diet . Overall, there is considerable evidence suggesting that histamine reactions are more pronounced during menopause .

However, this finding is not necessarily based solely on the connection between histamine and hormones. There could just as easily be several factors that promote or exacerbate histamine intolerance in middle age.

Uterus made of flowers

Symptoms of excess estrogen: Progesterone against histamine intolerance?

During menopause, the female body produces less estrogen, yet progesterone levels are lower than estrogen levels. This is because progesterone levels decline more rapidly. This leads to estrogen dominance , which restricts DAO synthesis and promotes histamine release from mast cells.

Too much histamine, in turn, leads to increased estrogen, creating a vicious cycle. Progesterone promotes histamine breakdown, ensures hormonal balance, and prevents estrogen dominance. These low-histamine foods are often associated with positive effects on hormone balance:

  • broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • pomegranate
  • Chaste tree
  • coconut oil
  • fennel
  • yam
  • Brown rice
  • Quinoa
  • Ghee

Menopausal symptoms and histamine — our conclusion

Even though much scientific evidence is still lacking, all studies highlight the connection between an imbalanced hormonal system and increased symptoms, or even the development of histamine intolerance. Therefore, it makes sense to stabilize the hormonal balance as much as possible in order to live a more symptom-free life. The following should be avoided:
  • Hormone-containing foods/cosmetics
  • Environmental pollutants
  • Heavy metal contamination
  • certain medications
  • caffeine
  • nicotine
  • Finished products
  • Stress and
  • Pesticides.

Instead, you should focus on increasing your nutrient intake —especially sufficient calcium, iron, and magnesium—as well as getting enough exercise and sleep. A nutrient-rich, low-histamine diet can help regulate your hormone levels. Lady's mantle and yarrow are also excellent for hormonal balance. By regulating hormone levels, both inflammation in the body and histamine levels are generally minimized .


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