Oestrogen & Histamine: What every woman needs to know

The Hidden Link Between Oestrogen and Histamine: What Every Woman Should Know

Do you ever feel like your body reacts more to certain foods, smells, or your environment right before your period?

Do you experience:

• Unexplained bloating or fatigue

• Headaches or migraines around ovulation

• Flushing, hives, itchy skin, or sneezing that seems to come and go with your cycle?

If so, you’re not imagining it.

There’s a powerful—but often overlooked—connection between oestrogen and histamine, and it may be playing a role in your symptoms.

Let’s unpack how this relationship works, and what you can do to support your body if you suspect histamine issues tied to your hormones.

What Is Histamine—and Why Should You Care?

Histamine is a natural compound involved in:

• Immune responses (allergies, inflammation)

• Stomach acid production

• Brain function (alertness, mood, memory)

• Hormone signalling

It’s stored in mast cells and released when your body detects a threat—like allergens, stress, or even certain foods.

Normally, enzymes in your body (like DAO and HNMT) break histamine down and clear it. But if too much histamine builds up—or your body can’t break it down efficiently—you get histamine intolerance.

How Does Oestrogen Affect Histamine?

Here’s where it gets interesting.

🔹 Oestrogen increases histamine release.
🔹 Histamine increases oestrogen release.

That’s right—they stimulate each other. It’s a feedback loop.

Plus, oestrogen can reduce the activity of DAO (diamine oxidase), the main enzyme that clears histamine—meaning you’re more likely to feel histamine overload at certain points in your menstrual cycle.

This is why some women notice a flare in histamine-related symptoms:

• Around ovulation (when oestrogen peaks)

• Just before their period

• During perimenopause (when oestrogen becomes more erratic)

• On the pill or HRT, especially if oestrogen-only

Common Histamine-Related Symptoms in Women

• Migraines or headaches

• Hives, rashes, or itching

• Runny nose, sneezing, or congestion without a clear allergy

• Anxiety, restlessness, or trouble sleeping

• Bloating, gas, nausea or feeling “full” quickly after meals

• Menstrual cramps or irregular periods

• Palpitations or dizziness

These may come and go, and are often dismissed as "just hormones" or stress—but the real driver could be the interaction between oestrogen and histamine.

Who’s Most at Risk?

Women with:

• High or fluctuating oestrogen levels (e.g. PMS, perimenopause)

• Gut issues (poor DAO production happens in the gut lining)

• Long-term stress (cortisol affects histamine clearance)

• Histamine-rich diets or frequent antihistamine use

• Past use of the pill or HRT

• Autoimmune conditions or chronic inflammation

5 Ways to Support Histamine Balance Naturally

1. Support gut health
   DAO is produced in the gut—so supporting your gut lining with nutrients like zinc, glutamine, and a diverse fibre-rich diet can help.

2. Eat a lower-histamine diet during high-oestrogen phases
   Temporarily reduce foods like aged cheeses, fermented foods, smoked meats, wine, and leftovers around ovulation and your luteal phase.

3. Increase DAO-supporting nutrients
   Vitamin B6, vitamin C, copper, magnesium, and zinc are key for DAO activity and oestrogen metabolism.

4. Reduce oestrogen dominance
   Support liver detox with cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower), adequate protein, and gentle movement to help clear excess oestrogen.

5. Manage stress + stabilise blood sugar
   Blood sugar crashes and cortisol spikes worsen histamine responses. Focus on balanced meals, regular eating, and nervous system regulation.

Final Thoughts

Histamine issues aren’t just about allergies—and oestrogen isn’t always the “bad hormone.” The key is understanding how they interact.

If you’ve been struggling with recurring symptoms that no one can explain, and you feel like your cycle is amplifying everything, the oestrogen-histamine connection may be a missing piece of your health puzzle.

You don’t have to live in a body that feels reactive and unpredictable.

Awareness is the first step—then comes targeted, gentle support.