Histamine & Hormones: What Seasonal Allergies Are Really Doing to Your Body

Spring has officially sprung! The days are longer, the sun is shining, and flowers are blooming… but so are your allergies. As much as we love the changing seasons, we know that for many, the pollen and allergens can bring on the sniffles, itchy eyes, and fatigue. But here's the twist—those seasonal allergies might be affecting more than just your sinuses. They could be messing with your hormones too.

Let’s explore the connection between histamine (the troublemaker behind allergies) and your hormones, and how seasonal allergies can make your hormonal symptoms feel even more intense.

What Is Histamine and Why Does It Matter?

Histamine is a naturally occurring compound in your body that plays a critical role in your immune system's response to allergens. When you’re exposed to something your body sees as a threat—like pollen—histamine is released to help your body defend itself. It causes blood vessels to expand, which can lead to all those allergy symptoms: a stuffy nose, watery eyes, and that general feeling of being miserable.

But histamine doesn’t just stop there—it also interacts with your hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone, which can make your hormonal health feel even more out of balance. And if you’re already dealing with PMS, PMDD, or postpartum hormonal changes, allergy season can be a double whammy.

The Histamine & Hormone Connection: What You Need to Know

Histamine & Estrogen: Estrogen can actually increase the release of histamine in your body. So, during the higher estrogen phases of your menstrual cycle—like ovulation—you may find yourself more sensitive to allergens, leading to worse allergy symptoms. This can make your already sensitive hormones feel even more volatile, worsening symptoms like mood swings, cramps, and anxiety.
Histamine & Progesterone: On the flip side, progesterone helps keep histamine’s effects in check. But if your progesterone levels are low (which is common in women with hormonal imbalances), histamine has free rein to cause more trouble. If you’re already feeling out of sorts during your luteal phase (hello, PMS), histamine can make things like mood swings, cramps, and fatigue feel even worse.
Immune System and Hormonal Health: Your immune system and hormones are closely linked. When your body releases histamine in response to allergens, it can trigger the production of estrogen, which can make you more susceptible to both allergy symptoms and hormone imbalances.

How Seasonal Allergies Make Your Hormonal Symptoms Worse

If you’re already dealing with PMS, PMDD, or postpartum symptoms, the added stress of allergy season can make it feel like everything is out of control. Here’s how:

PMS/PMDD: The stress of allergies can amplify PMS symptoms. If you’re already dealing with anxiety, irritability, and fatigue, histamine can intensify those symptoms. The result? Even more emotional and physical discomfort as your body tries to manage both the seasonal allergens and hormonal fluctuations.
Postpartum: If you’re in the postpartum period and adjusting to new hormonal changes, spring allergies can make it harder to get back to normal. Histamine increases inflammation, which can affect your energy levels and make symptoms like fatigue and mood swings even more intense.

Natural Solutions: How to Manage Histamine & Hormones This Allergy Season

You don’t have to just suffer through allergy season. There are natural ways to support your hormones and manage those pesky histamine effects. Here’s how you can take control:

Support Your Body with Nutrients: The PMS Elixir from Marea is packed with 15 essential micronutrients designed to support your hormone balance. These nutrients can help mitigate some of the histamine’s effects on your body and provide relief from PMS and allergy symptoms.
Magnesium to the Rescue: Magnesium is a must for hormone regulation and stress management. It's known to help relax muscles, calm anxiety, and even improve sleep. Plus, it supports your body in coping with the immune system’s stress response during allergy season.
Herbal Allies: Ginger & Peppermint: The That Time of the Month Tea is a perfect way to support both your hormones and your immune system. Packed with ginger and peppermint, it’s more than just a soothing tea. Studies show that ginger can be as effective as some allergy medications at reducing nasal congestion and improving overall allergy symptoms. Peppermint also acts as a natural decongestant and can help reduce inflammation in your sinuses, making it a powerful tool during allergy season. Two birds, one stone—because we love efficiency!
Air Filters: A Breath of Fresh Air One of the simplest yet most effective ways to combat the pollen and allergens invading your home is by using an air filter. Air purifiers with HEPA filters can trap allergens like pollen, dust, and mold, reducing your exposure and helping to minimize the immune system response. Less histamine means fewer allergy symptoms, and your hormones will thank you for it too.
Stay Hydrated & Flush It Out: Drinking plenty of water helps your body flush out excess histamine. Staying hydrated also supports your hormone health by helping to keep everything running smoothly—because your body can’t balance hormones on a desert dry system!

Take Control of Your Allergies & Hormones

Spring allergies don’t have to throw your hormonal balance completely off track. With the right tools, you can manage your immune response, balance your hormones, and feel better throughout the season. Supporting your body with nutrient-dense supplements like the PMS Elixir, drinking herbal teas with ginger and peppermint, and using air filters to keep allergens at bay are just a few ways you can take charge.

Don’t let histamine hijack your health—take a holistic approach to balance your hormones and feel like your best self, no matter what the weather (or the pollen count) is doing outside.

Looking for extra support with your hormones this allergy season? Check out Marea’s PMS Elixir and That Time of the Month Tea to help you feel balanced and supported throughout your cycle.

SOURCES:
PMC - National Library of Medicine
PMC - National Library of Medicine
PMC - National Library of Medicine