Living with PMDD was already a monthly battle, but discovering its connection to histamine intolerance finally helped me understand why my symptoms seemed so much more intense than "regular PMS." During COVID, I remember wondering why my body seemed to betray me so severely every month.

For many women struggling with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), the connection to histamine intolerance remains largely unexplored. This blod delves into how these two conditions may be interlinked and what this means for your health.

What is PMDD?

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome that can be debilitating, causing severe mood changes, physical symptoms, and disruption to daily life.

The key symptoms you usually experience include:

Severe mood swings and depression
Intense anxiety, anger and irritability
Fatigue and sleep disturbances
Physical symptoms like bloating and breast tenderness

During COVID lockdowns, it started with what I thought was just bad PMS. But as the years went by, the symptoms became unbearable. Two weeks before my period, I'd transform into someone I didn't recognise. The anxiety would creep in first, then came the depression. My housemates walked on eggshells around me, never knowing which version of me they'd encounter. After a proper diagnosis and understanding of pathophysiology, there was a lot of work that was done and I want to share my insights.

Understanding Histamine Intolerance:

Histamine intolerance occurs when your body can't break down histamine effectively or produces too much of it. Think of histamine like a bucket that's constantly filling up. In a healthy body, there's a steady drain at the bottom breaking it down. But for some of us, that drain is clogged. Our bodies can't process histamine fast enough, so the bucket starts overflowing – triggering a cascade of symptoms from anxiety to headaches.

The frustrating part? Histamine is hiding in so many foods – your morning coffee, leftover dinner, even that fresh avocado. It's not like a simple food allergy where avoiding one ingredient fixes everything. Some days you can eat something without issues, while other days the same food sends your body into chaos. It all depends on how full your bucket is in that moment.

This can happen due to:

Nutritional deficiencies in magnesium, Vitamin B1 & B6, copper, zinc
Reduced DAO enzyme activity (the enzyme that breaks down histamine)
Gut dysbiosis
Liver dysfunction

Hormonal influences
Understanding how estrogen and histamine interact in my body was life-changing. During your luteal phase (the two weeks before your period), your body's ability to handle histamine plummets. Foods you could tolerate at other times of the month would suddenly trigger:
- Intense anxiety attacks
- Severe headaches
- Skin rashes and itching
- Insomnia that no amount of melatonin could touch
- Digestive issues and bloating that can make you look pregnant
- Eczema flaring up

Living with Histamine Intolerance & PMDD? Here's Your Action Plan

Understanding your body's signals is crucial when managing both histamine intolerance and PMDD. Here's how to start making sense of your symptoms:

Track Your Cycle & Symptoms

Your histamine levels naturally rise and fall with estrogen, which can intensify PMDD symptoms. Keep a detailed diary of both your cycle and reactions to foods – you might notice patterns of symptoms getting worse during pre-ovulation and the premenstrual phase.

Start a Low-Histamine Approach

While histamine is in most foods, reducing your overall intake can make a significant difference. Many women notice improvements within 2-3 weeks of modifying their diet, especially during the luteal phase when PMDD symptoms are strongest.

Investigate Root Causes

Both conditions often have underlying triggers that need addressing, including:

Gut health imbalances
Celiac disease
SIBO
Inflammatory conditions
Food intolerances

Review Your Medications

Certain medications can affect your body's ability to process histamine, including:

Antidepressants
Blood pressure medications
Antibiotics
Muscle relaxants
Note: Never stop medications without consulting your healthcare team.

Ready to Take Control of Your Health?

Stop struggling alone with PMDD and histamine intolerance. As a Clinical Naturopath, I can help you uncover your triggers and develop a personalised treatment plan that addresses both conditions.

Book your consultation with me, Melissa McDonald (BHSc), at one of my convenient locations:

West Gosford
Toukley
Green Point
Online consultations available

Let's work together to restore your hormonal balance and improve your quality of life. Book your appointment today and take the first step towards feeling like yourself again.

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