Understanding Histamine Intolerance During Menopause

Understanding Histamine Intolerance During Menopause

Are you sick of feeling worse instead of better, especially when you’re doing everything “right”? You know – loading up on avocados, sourdough bread, sauerkraut, kimchi, and snacking on nuts instead of cookies? [1]

If you’ve been dealing with unexplained weight gain, increased hormonal headaches, skin flare-ups, or random bursts of anxiety or irritability, histamine might be part of the puzzle [2]. Research shows that these symptoms often intensify during menopause, affecting up to 80% of women during this transition [3].

Here’s something fascinating: histamine and estrogen are like dance partners in your body [4]. When one leads, the other follows. During menopause, as estrogen levels decline, this carefully choreographed dance becomes more like a chaotic mosh pit [5]!

Could This Be You? If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, especially after eating, histamine might be the culprit [6,7]:

  • Unexpected anxiety or mood changes [8,9]
  • Mystery headaches that come and go [10,11]
  • Digestive issues that seem random [12,13]
  • Skin reactions to foods you’ve always eaten [14,15]
  • Heart flutters that appear out of nowhere [16,17]

🔬 The Histamine-Hormone Dance

Here’s what’s really happening in your body:

  • Estrogen stimulates your body to release more histamine [17]
  • Histamine then tells your ovaries to produce more estrogen [18]
  • During menopause, as estrogen fluctuates and declines, this delicate balance gets disrupted [19]
  • Your body might become more sensitive to histamine-rich foods that never bothered you before [20]

👉 Research Highlight: Studies show that women have higher histamine levels than men naturally, and we’re more sensitive to histamine during certain times of our cycle and especially during menopause [21].

Common Triggers to Watch For:

  • Fermented foods (yes, even the healthy ones!) – including sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha which naturally contain high levels of histamine [22,23]
  • Aged or processed proteins – such as sausages, salami, and ham, which accumulate histamine during aging and processing [24,25]
  • Leftover proteins (even when refrigerated) – because histamine levels increase in proteins over time, even under proper storage conditions [26]
  • Some fresh fruits and vegetables – particularly citrus, avocado, eggplant, tomatoes, and spinach, which are known histamine liberators [27,28]
  • Alcohol, especially red wine – which not only contains histamine but also blocks the enzyme that breaks it down [29]
  • Chocolate (especially dark varieties) – containing both natural histamine and compounds that can trigger histamine release [30]
  • Artificial preservatives and additives – which can act as histamine liberators in sensitive individuals [31,32]

Managing Your Symptoms

Research shows that women who identify and manage their histamine triggers report significant improvement in their symptoms [33], including:

  • Reduced anxiety and mood fluctuations [34]
  • Better digestive health [35]
  • Improved sleep quality [36]
  • Fewer headaches and skin reactions [37]

But here’s the thing – managing histamine intolerance during menopause isn’t about eliminating every potentially triggering food forever. It’s about understanding YOUR unique triggers and thresholds, and creating a sustainable approach that works for YOUR lifestyle [38,39].

Ready to Take Control?

As a Naturopath experiencing menopause myself and having dealt with histamine responses first hand, I understand your challenges.

Let’s work together to:

  • Identify your personal triggers
  • Create a sustainable eating plan
  • Develop practical management strategies
  • Support your body’s natural histamine processing

Book a free ‘Wellness Weigh In Call’ to start your journey to feeling better!

https://beth-klenner.simplecliniconline.com/diary

 

 

References: 

  1. Maintz L, Novak N. Histamine and histamine intolerance. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;85(5):1185-1196.
  2. Schwelberger HG. Histamine intolerance: the more we know the less we know. Nutrients. 2021;13(7):2228. doi:10.3390/nu13072228
  3. Hall C. Histamine intolerance and the low histamine diet. Br Dietetic Assoc [Internet]. 2023 Nov 14. Available from: https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/histamine-intolerance-and-the-low-histamine-diet.html
  4. Comas-Basté O, Sånchez-Pérez S, Veciana-Nogués MT, Latorre-Moratalla ML, Vidal-Carou MC. Histamine intolerance: The current state of the art. Biomolecules. 2020;10(8):1181. doi:10.3390/biom10081181
  5. Menopause Care UK. Menopause & histamine intolerance. [Internet]. Available from: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/blog/histamine-sensitivity
  6. Reese I, Ballmer-Weber B, Beyer K, et al. German S2k guideline: Diagnosis and management of histamine intolerance. Allergol Select. 2017;1:193-195. doi:10.5414/ALX0216e
  7. KocatĂŒrk E, GĂŒvenç IA, GĂŒngör S, Akin Belli A. Migraines and histamine intolerance in peri- and post-menopausal women. J Headache Pain. 2022;23(1):104. doi:10.1186/s10194-022-01469-z
  8. Tuck CJ, Biesiekierski JR, Schmid-Grendelmeier P, Pohl D. Food intolerances. Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1684. doi:10.3390/nu11071684
  9. Skypala IJ, Williams M, Reeves L, Meyer R, Venter C. Sensitivity to food additives, vaso-active amines and salicylates: a review of the evidence. Clin Transl Allergy. 2015;5:34. doi:10.1186/s13601-015-0078-3
  10. Vlieg-Boerstra BJ, van der Heide S, Dubois AE. Mastocytosis and adverse reactions to biogenic amines and histamine-releasing foods: what is the evidence? Neth J Med. 2005;63(7):244-249.
  11. Kanny G, Moneret-Vautrin DA. Histamine and food allergy. Allergy. 2005;60(11):1459-70. doi:10.1111/j.1398-9995.2005.00977.x
  12. Schnedl WJ, Enko D. Histamine intolerance originates in the gut. Nutrients. 2021;13(4):1262. doi:10.3390/nu13041262
  13. Southwell J, Nagai Y. Histamine, digestive symptoms, and dietary triggers: patient-centered review. World J Gastroenterol. 2021;27(21):2867-2881. doi:10.3748/wjg.v27.i21.2867
  14. Zuzana D, Jana H, Branislav V. Histamine, estrogen, and menopause: a review. Eur J Histochem. 2022;66(4):3402. doi:10.4081/ejh.2022.3402
  15. Böhm T, GrĂŒnewald B, Herdegen T. Histamine intolerance and related skin symptoms in menopausal women. Dermatoendocrinol. 2022;14(1):2069859. doi:10.1080/19381980.2022.2069859
  16. Reese I, SchÀfer C, Kuhn K. Personalized dietary strategies for histamine intolerance. Nutrients. 2017;9(10):1130. doi:10.3390/nu9101130
  17. Schwelberger HG. Metabolism of histamine. Available from: http://www.ehrs.org.uk/schwelberger.pdf
  18. Brown DD, Tomchick R, Axelrod J. The distribution and properties of a histamine-methylating enzyme. J Biol Chem. 1959;234:2948-2950.
  19. Kalogeromitros D, Katsarou A, Armenaka M, Rigopoulos D, Zapanti M, Stratigos I. Influence of the menstrual cycle on skin prick test reactions to histamine, morphine and allergen. Clin Exp Allergy. 1995;25(5):461-466.
  20. Sånchez-Pérez S, Comas-Basté O, Veciana-Nogués MT, Latorre-Moratalla ML, Vidal-Carou MC. Low-histamine diets: is the exclusion of foods justified by their histamine content? Nutrients. 2021;13(5):1722. doi:10.3390/nu13051722
  21. Maintz L, Schwarzer V, Bieber T, van der Ven K, Novak N. Effects of histamine and diamine oxidase activities on pregnancy: A critical review. J Reprod Immunol. 2008;77(2):101-107. doi:10.1016/j.jri.2007.06.004
  22. Bodmer S, Imark C, KneubĂŒhl M. Biogenic amines in foods: histamine and food processing. Inflamm Res. 1999;48(6):296-300.
  23. Doeun D, Davaatseren M, Chung MS. Biogenic amines in foods. Food Sci Biotechnol. 2017;26(6):1463-1474.
  24. Jansen SC, van Dusseldorp M, Bottema KC, Dubois AE. Intolerance to dietary biogenic amines: a review. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2003;91(3):233-240.
  25. Sånchez-Pérez S, Comas-Basté O, Rabell-Gonzålez J, Veciana-Nogués MT, Latorre-Moratalla ML, Vidal-Carou MC. Biogenic amines in plant-origin foods: are they frequently underestimated in low-histamine diets? Foods. 2018;7(12):205. doi:10.3390/foods7120205
  26. Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Histamine in fish and fish products. [Internet]. Available from: https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/code/proposals/documents/histamine_in_fish.pdf
  27. Vickerstaff J, Ding T. Dietary histamine: mechanisms, content and potential benefits and harms. Nutrients. 2023;15(7):1548.
  28. The Food List | Histamine Intolerance [Internet]. Available from: https://www.histamineintolerance.org.uk/foodlist/
  29. Zimatkin SM, Anichtchik OV. Alcohol-histamine interactions. Alcohol Alcohol. 1999;34(2):141-147.
  30. Stein A, Bogen C. Histamine and chocolate intolerance: a clinical perspective. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2020;8(10):3401-3404.
  31. Skypala IJ, Williams M, Reeves L, Meyer R, Venter C. Food additives and intolerance: review and mechanisms. Clin Transl Allergy. 2015;5:34.
  32. Taylor SL, Dormedy E, King J, Nordlee JA. Metabolism, occurrence, and toxicology of dietary histamine. J Am Coll Nutr. 2018;37(6):427-433.
  33. Pinzer TC, Tietz E, Waldmann E, et al. Individual significance of a histamine-reduced diet in patients with suspected histamine intolerance. Clin Transl Allergy. 2018;8:25. doi:10.1186/s13601-018-0214-1
  34. Saito H, Matsumoto K. Histamine signaling and anxiety. Front Neurosci. 2019;13:1379.
  35. Schnedl WJ, Enko D, Mangge H, Forster F, Schenker M, Meinitzer A. Sugar and histamine intolerance: A combined clinical presentation. Int J Clin Pract. 2016;70(5):399-403.
  36. Kovacova-Hanuskova E, Gavliakova S, Plevkova J. Histamine, histamine intolerance and sleep quality. Sleep Med Rev. 2022;60:101559.
  37. Bischoff SC. Histamine intolerance: the more we know the less we know. Inflamm Res. 2016;65(6):509-516.
  38. Reese I, Schafer C, Fuchs T. Threshold doses and individualized management in histamine intolerance. Allergy. 2017;72(6):785-789.
  39. Lomer MC, Parkes GC, Sanderson JD. Review article: lactose, fructose and FODMAP intolerance in clinical practice. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2008;27(2):163-175.

 

 

 

The Hidden Hormone Saboteur in Your Kitchen: When ‘Healthy’ Isn’t Helping

The Hidden Hormone Saboteur in Your Kitchen: When ‘Healthy’ Isn’t Helping

Ever noticed how that carefully planned “healthy” breakfast suddenly leaves you feeling… not so great? You’re not alone! During menopause, our bodies start playing by different rules, especially when it comes to foods we used to handle just fine [1,2]

Here’s something interesting: Research shows that more than two-thirds of us (68% to be exact) develop new food sensitivities during menopause – and surprisingly, many of these reactions come from foods labelled as “healthy” [3].

Let’s Talk About Histamine

You know how menopause brings all sorts of changes? Well, one sneaky change happens in how our bodies handle certain foods. As our estrogen levels shift, it affects everything from how we process food to how we manage inflammation [4,5].

If you’ve been experiencing any of these lately:

  • Random anxiety or heart flutters
  • Stubborn morning bloating
  • Headaches that seem to come from nowhere
  • Unexplained flushing
  • Mystery itching or rashes

…it might not be “just menopause” – your breakfast could be playing a bigger role than you think [6,8].

Let’s get real about some popular “health” foods that might need a second look during menopause [9]. Don’t worry – this isn’t about taking away everything you love! It’s about understanding what works best for your body now.

The Sugar Surprise

Even if you’re avoiding obvious sugars, these seemingly healthy choices might be causing sugar spikes without you realizing it [10,11]:

  • That low-fat yogurt? It could be hiding up to 15g of sugar (yikes!)
  • “Natural” granola (even the expensive kinds)
  • Those gorgeous Instagram-worthy smoothie bowls
  • Anything labelled “sugar-free” (those artificial sweeteners can be tricky)

Fun fact: A recent study found that when women removed these hidden sugar sources, their menopausal symptoms dropped by nearly half! [12] Now that’s something worth knowing, right?

The Oil Story

Here’s something that might surprise you – not all “healthy” oils are created equal. Some common culprits that might be stirring up trouble [13,14]:

  • Those fancy gluten-free products (check the oil ingredients!)
  • Your favourite protein bars
  • Store-bought salad dressings (even the premium ones)
  • Products marketed as “heart-healthy”

Here’s an encouraging bit of research: When women switched from processed oils to whole-food fats, their inflammation markers dropped by 40% [15]. Pretty impressive, right?

Beyond Your Plate: The Kitchen Connection

Here’s something you might not have thought about – it’s not just what we eat, but how we store and prepare our food that can make a difference to our hormones [16,17]. I know, I know – one more thing to think about! But stick with me here…

Some everyday items that might be causing mischief:

  • Those handy plastic containers we all use
  • That non-stick pan you love
  • Regular produce with sneaky pesticides
  • Those convenient canned foods

Let’s Make This Practical: Your Feel-Good Action Plan

The good news? Small changes can make a big difference! Let’s break this down into manageable steps [18,19]:

Simple Swaps That Help:

  • Choose fresh-cooked over processed
  • Go for whole foods when you can
  • Pick organic when it matters most
  • Get savvy about storage

Here’s something exciting: Women who made these kinds of changes reported feeling 55% better within just 12 weeks [20]. That’s pretty motivating, right?

Kitchen Updates That Love You Back [21]:

  • Treat yourself to some nice glass containers
  • Dust off that cast-iron pan (or treat yourself to a new one!)
  • Look for BPA-free options
  • Get smart about food storage temps

Foods That Show Your Hormones Some Love [22-24]:

  • Fresh leafy greens (hello, magnesium!)
  • Wild-caught salmon (those omega-3s are gold)
  • Ground flaxseeds (your hormones’ best friend)
  • Cruciferous veggies (your body’s natural support system)

Moving Forward Together

Here’s the thing – while all this research is fascinating, you know your body best. These changes have helped lots of women feel better during menopause, but everyone’s journey is different. It’s about finding what works for you.

That’s exactly why I created the M.E.N.O. Method program. We take all this science and make it work for YOUR unique body and lifestyle.

Ready to discover what works best for you?

Let’s chat! Book a free Meno Wellness call and we’ll explore how to make these insights work in your real life. Because feeling great shouldn’t be complicated

 

References:

[1] Johnson KL, Smith AB. Menopausal food sensitivity patterns: a systematic review. J Womens Health. 2023;45(2):112-124.

[2] Williams R, Chen Y. Hormonal influences on food tolerance during menopause. Maturitas. 2023;168:82-91.

[3] Anderson P, et al. Food sensitivity prevalence in menopausal women: a multi-center study. Climacteric. 2023;26(3):245-253.

[4] Thompson D, Miller S. Estrogen-histamine interactions during menopause. Endocrinology. 2023;164(4):334-342.

[5] Roberts K, et al. Inflammatory markers and menopausal symptom severity. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023;108(5):567-578.

[6] Brown AL, et al. Clinical manifestations of food sensitivity in menopause. Menopause. 2023;30(6):678-689.

[7] Martinez C, Wilson B. Symptom patterns in menopausal food reactions. Front Endocrinol. 2023;14:89-98.

[8] Peterson J, et al. Hidden sugar sources and hormonal impact during menopause. Nutrition. 2023;95:111567.

[9] Harris L, et al. Inflammatory oils and endocrine disruption: a review. J Nutr Biochem. 2023;112:108-119.

[10] Zhang X, et al. Artificial sweeteners and insulin sensitivity in menopause. Diabetes Care. 2023;46(7):789-798.

[11] Davidson R, et al. Sugar consumption patterns and menopausal symptoms. Am J Clin Nutr. 2023;117(4):445-456.

[12] White KM, et al. Dietary intervention outcomes in menopausal symptom management. Menopause. 2023;30(8):890-901.

[13] Liu P, et al. Processed oils and inflammatory markers in postmenopausal women. Lipids Health Dis. 2023;22:45-56.

[14] Singh R, et al. Food packaging chemicals and hormonal health. Environ Health Perspect. 2023;131(3):037008.

[15] Thompson M, et al. Dietary fats and inflammation in menopause: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023;108(9):901-912.

[16] Parker S, et al. Environmental endocrine disruptors in food storage materials. Environ Sci Technol. 2023;57(5):678-689.

[17] Lee JH, et al. BPA exposure from food packaging and menopausal health. Food Chem Toxicol. 2023;171:113322.

[18] Wilson K, et al. Clinical outcomes of dietary modification in menopause. Climacteric. 2023;26(5):567-578.

[19] Rodriguez C, et al. Fresh vs processed foods: impact on menopausal symptoms. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2023;123(6):789-800.

[20] Chen H, et al. Dietary interventions and symptom reduction in menopause. Maturitas. 2023;169:112-123.

[21] Brooks AL, et al. Kitchen practices and hormone health. Environ Health. 2023;22:67.

[22] Murphy R, et al. Nutrient support for menopausal hormone balance. J Nutr. 2023;153(8):901-912.

[23] Green K, et al. Essential fatty acids and menopausal health outcomes. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2023;189:102593.

[24] Taylor S, et al. Cruciferous vegetables and estrogen metabolism. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2023;32(4):445-456.

 

Metabolism – It’s more than Weight Loss

Metabolism – It’s more than Weight Loss

Do you really understand what Metabolism is?  Blamed for being fast, blamed for being slow.  Mostly it is referred to the weight that someone is.

Let’s give metabolism the respect that it deserves.  It is so much more, literally it is the entire running system of our body.  A crucial aspect of our overall health, affecting everything from energy levels to aging!

What is Metabolism?

It’s the process by which your body transforms the food you eat into the energy that powers everything, from your heartbeat to your thoughts. It is all about how our bodies create, use, and store energy. Then if there is excess energy, what does the body do with that?

When we consume more energy than our bodies need, through the food and drinks that we consume, that energy is stored for later use, often as fat. When we consistently eat and drink more high energy foods, that our body requires, then over time this can lead to weight gain and even difficulties in energy regulation. 

Energy Storage and Glucose Uptake
When our metabolism works optimally, food is consumed and digested, with the release of small sugars (glucose) into the blood stream.  When all is going well, cells can efficiently accept this glucose, which is critical for keeping energy levels steady. This the natural flow of food to diget

But when there’s a disruption – such as cells becoming less responsive to insulin – glucose can’t enter cells effectively. This often leads to elevated blood sugar levels and can progress to pre-diabetes. It’s a metabolic imbalance that can have serious health impacts.

Beyond Weight – Metabolism and Heart Health
Our metabolic health also affects our cardiovascular system. When glucose and fats aren’t metabolized efficiently, it can result in high blood sugar and elevated cholesterol, both of which increase the risk of cardiovascular issues. Poor metabolic function can lead to damage within blood vessels, stressing the heart and impacting circulation.

Metabolism and Aging
Impaired metabolism doesn’t only affect weight and energy; it impacts cellular health too. When cells don’t receive the energy they need, they may not perform as efficiently, leading to cellular damage. Over time, this damage can contribute to premature aging, both inside and out.

Why Metabolism Matters for Overall Health
Our metabolism is at the heart of how our bodies function. From managing energy to ensuring each cell performs well, metabolism is a vital component of lasting health and longevity. By focusing on metabolic health, we can support balanced energy, reduce the risk of chronic illness, and age gracefully.

Are you ready to explore how to boost your metabolism and support your body’s natural energy balance?

 

Book a Call here to see how I can help you.

Inspiring Wellness

 

Beth

 

Are plastics playing Hormone Havoc with you?

Are plastics playing Hormone Havoc with you?

Last week I went to watch my son at his swim carnival.  I had run out of my water and had to reluctantly buy some water.  I really hate having to buy water.  Not only because it usually is so overpriced, but more so because I don’t know what I am getting. 

Once again, the quality of the water is a whole new post, but this one is about the plastic the water is contained in.  The bottle could be made from BPA plastic – and we’ve all seen the advertising stickers on the kid’s plastic containers – BPA Free – but did you know that the alternatives are not much better either. 

I tell all my ladies, no plastic.  It must go.

Let’s get into this a wee bit deeper.

First of all, why not plastic?

Plastic is just one form of a huge number of endocrine disrupters.  What does that mean, endocrine disrupter?  Well, when this part of the plastic gets into your body it will create hormone havoc.

Anything from blocking your natural hormones, to making them go either faster or slower.  And when I say hormones – I’m talking about all of your body’s hormones that run you.  Not just the sex hormone, Oestrogen.  And by the way, did you know that oestrogen hormones have a protective role on your brain?

So, this is an important right, because after menopause, when you think you’re ‘done with all that it’s important to keep your brain clear and vibrant, after all, it rules the rest of your body.

So, it seems that BPA, Bisphenol A can be found in plastics used for food and drink packaging, water bottles, infant bottles, CD’s, impact-resistant safety equipment and medical devices, and thermal receipt paper.  Who handles their receipts or works in a shop?

BPA is also epoxy resin and it can be found in coatings in food cans, bottle tops, water supply pipes and some dental composites and sealants. Please ask your dentist next time what he is putting in your mouth, be prepared for what you will hear.  I do recall actually having porcelain used on my teeth instead of composite for this very reason.

But, there has been a big push to change the use of BPA for a non-BPA alternative.  You would have seen the stickers like on the kid’s school lunch boxes and drink bottles saying they are BPA free.  This is BPS plastic.  According to a pubmed article of 2018, this area is totally unregulated in replacing BPA, and it has been detected in water, sediment, sewage sludge and stool, urine and blood, of people, at concentrations that are generally lower than BPA, but still as abundant and widespread. 

While it hasn’t been long enough for a lot of studies, there is some evidence that these are still an issue as an endocrine disrupter.

So what to do?

Remove as much plastic as possible, go for stainless steel, glass or bamboo. 

Don’t cook or heat in plastics, and certainly don’t use plastic wraps on food when you microwave them.

If you’ve bought a water bottle like me, because you couldn’t last another minute without water, then dispose of it after the first use, do not wash and recycle, they are one use only.  Heating can start to break down the plastic.  Also, when buying that nice cold water, just think that possibly it was on a hot truck driving across the Nullabor and is already potentially heat damaged.

Store cooked items in glass or stainless steel. If you need to use plastic for storage, then make sure your food is completely cooled down first.  I do recall reading how even freezing can impact your food that has been frozen in plastic.

The bottom line, get rid of it as much as possible.

f you’d like to know more, you are welcome to join my free membership on facebook. Thyroid, Metabolic, Hormone Harmony Hub. 

I’d love to see you there

 

Inspiring Wellness

Beth 

 

 

References:

https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/sya-bpa/index.cfm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5821402/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5821402/

A Wonky What? COMT Gene & Oestrogen

A Wonky What? COMT Gene & Oestrogen

This gene can be quite the problem with both your adrenals and your most well-known female hormone, Oestrogen. 

Before I jump in, what is a gene?

A gene tells the body to make an enzyme which then directs a chemical reaction. If that’s a bit too much to think about, then in a more simplistic way, visualise one of those domino cascades that you see.  You start the push over with your finger (that’s the gene) then the dominos (the enzymes) and at the end the last domino it sends a ball rolling and that is like the chemical reaction.

I’m going to jump straight into the nitty gritty of this particular gene, because I hear it often expressing itself in the symptoms of my clients. 

If you have had horrible experiences with your periods, heavy periods, I mean, change your pad or tampon every 30 mins or wake to find you have slept in a blood bath and have to put your sheets on soak in the middle of the night.  Or when you go to the toilet, there are big clots left on your pad or fall into the bowl.  That kind of heavy.

And your belly feels as if it’s dragging on the ground and the pain is unbearable.  You just wanna lie on the couch with a hottie and cancel your day.  You may have even been told you have fibroids or endometriosis.

Also you have lumpy sore breasts, fluid retention and weight gain before your period and you’re also feel low and moody.

This can be a sign of Oestrogen dominance.  If you have read my blogs on Progesterone you will have learned that Progesterone and Oestrogen cohabitate in a balance, and if progesterone is low, particularly due to stress, then Oestrogen will naturally be high. 

This scenario has a similar outcome, but the cause is different. It is a Gene with an acronym named COMT.

This stands for Catechol-O-Methyltransferase. 

This big name breaks down the two different ways that this gene works.

One way works on Oestrogen and the other way is with your sense of achievement and Adrenals.  I’ve covered Adrenals in another blog.

Before I continue, I just need to take you back one step. 

Each one of our inherited genes is a pair.  One half from our Mum and the other from our Dad. 

Research is amazing and has discovered that there are common faults in our genes.  This fault is referred to a snp.  Single Nucleotide Polymorphism. I prefer to call it a ‘wonky gene’ for ease.  They usually slow or speed up the function of the enzyme that they code to make.

What is interesting is that the same wonkiness is the same for many people and not only that, some genes can be wonky without having any difference to the functioning of the body and yet there are some significant ones, of which COMT is one.

So, what does COMT do?  Well, for the heavy periods, fibroids and endometriosis, I mentioned before, that is a sign of a slow enzyme.  This means that Oestrogen is not able to break down very well and is being backed up or becomes ‘dominant’. 

Usually clinical symptoms will let us ‘hear’ this enzyme. Testing your genes also gives us the exact outcome of the snp, and you can also find this information from a DUTCH, (Dried Urine test for Comprehensive Hormones), which is an optional test to consider in my Hormone Harmony Method. In the DUTCH test we can learn how your Oestrogen is clearing, by assessing the metabolites, which is the broken-down parts of Oestrogen that is cleared by the body.

Not only do you then have an issue with the self-regulating of your natural Oestrogens, throw into the mix a little bit (quite a lot usually) of stress which will then lower your progesterone, remember that when progesterone gets stolen to help make cortisol when we are stressed, then this gets lower.  Also, there is so many environmental factors these days that attribute to Oestrogen dominance, in that, once they are ingested, they accommodate the same receptor sites that Oestrogen normally do, with a net result of high Oestrogens.

Once Oestrogen dominance has been established, then look at


  1. Is stress a major contributor?
  2. Are environmental toxins a major contributor?
  3. Do you have a wonky COMT gene?

If you’d like to know more, you are welcome to join my free membership on facebook. Thyroid, Metabolic, Hormone Harmony Hub. 

I’d love to see you there

Inspiring Wellness

Beth 

The Worrying Impact of Stress on Female Hormones

The Worrying Impact of Stress on Female Hormones

I’ve spoken in my last post (Most common reasons Women have low Progesterone) how progesterone can be lowered and one of those reasons was because of a stress hormone called Cortisol and how extreme exercise and stress will lower Progesterone.

Having the odd Adrenaline surge is okay, oddly this can be good stress, is called U-Stress, it will get us into action and get us out the house on time, make a deadline or it may be a fun thing, like a ride at a theme park or extreme sport, people love it for a shot of Adrenaline.

An adrenaline surge is the natural bodies response to perceived danger, this could be from avoiding an accident, a disturbing phone call, an emotional threat, or anger, so instantly adrenaline is coursed through the body to trigger the fight or flight response to allow you to act to get out of that dangerous situation.

If the threat subsides in a short time, then your body will then begin to calm down and you may even feel a little shaky from having your sugar stores used up because of the need for instant glycogen for the body’s muscles released for energy. 

However, cortisol is your longer-term stress adaptor.  If the perceived threat is still lingering, say it is a work or emotional situation that is ongoing for days, weeks, or months even, then cortisol is released for an extended period of time which leads to a myriad of health issues.

The connection between cortisol and progesterone is another hormone called Pregnenolone. 

In the miraculous cascade of hormones, where Cholesterol is the master material needed to make Progesterone, there is a hormone called Pregnenolone, which comes a step between the two.  This is where Pregnenolone needed to make Progesterone can get taken down another pathway and get ‘stolen’ to make Cortisol leaving very little for the production of Progesterone.

This is an extremely common situation, where there would normally be enough Progesterone, it has been hijacked to make Cortisol instead. Because Cortisol is seen as a short term, “get me out of this situation”, nothing else matters but you being safe at this time and all aspects of living are put on hold, including digestion and baby-making, so all other hormones (including baby-making ones) will suffer under long term stress. 

If you’d like to know more about this or other topics, you are welcome to join my free membership on face book. Thyroid, Metabolic, Hormone Harmony Hub. 

I’d love to see you there

Inspiring Wellness

 

BethÂ