Histamine and Female Reproductive Hormones

Histamine is a by product released from immune cells called mast cells and basophils. It has a direct effect on the 4 ‘H receptors’ in our body by binding to them. These receptors control a wide range of responses such as, vasodilation (dilation of blood vessels), bronchoconstriction (lung bronchiol constriction), increased vascular permeability (how easy it is for products to pass through the blood vessel wall), gastric acid secretion, and modulation of neurotransmitter release (brain hormones).

How do hormones fit into all of this?

Lets start off with the well known oestrogen first. Oestrogen promotes the release of histamine from mast cells. This can cause females to experience an increase in histamine related symptoms such as nasal congestion, skin rashes, and asthma during ovulation leading up to their menstrual period. Oestrogen also down regulates the DAO enzyme within the gut which breaks down histamine further causing an increase in overall histamine levels.

On the flip side progesterone down regulates histamine release from our mast cells. Progesterone increases in what’s known as the luteal phase of a women’s menstrual cycle which is when the egg has not been fertilised after ovulation. In complete contrast to oestrogen it increases the DAO enzyme activity reducing overall histamine levels.