2 Easy Approaches To Help Histamine Menstrual Headaches
Do you live in Ottawa? Are you looking for ways to help your histamine menstrual headaches?
If so, then you are in the right place.
Today, I will write about two approaches to help with histamine menstrual headaches.
In This Article:
Let’s start by seeing why how histamine menstrual headaches occur.
How Histamne Menstrual Headaches Occur
Many of my clients report headaches that correlate with their menstrual cycle.
These clients assume that their headaches indicate an underlying hormonal problem.
This conclusion is logical and possible, but another common underlying cause is excess histamine in the body.
I recently had a client say to me. “I have been getting headaches.”
“Do the headaches correlate to any foods you are eating” I replied.” No,” she said. “But they do appear to relate to my menstrual cycle.”
“In particular, they occur on day 13 of my cycle and occasionally a few days before my period begins.
Interestingly, the timing of the headaches coincides with two estrogen peaks in the menstrual cycle.
The first peak is the highest and occurs towards the end of ovulation.
The second peak occurs a few days before the start of menstruation.
Estrogen decreases the levels of Diamine Oxidase (DAO) in the body.
DAO is one of the main enzymes in the body that breaks down histamine.
Histamine is a compound that the body produces in the presence of allergens and gut and systemic infections such as Lyme disease.
Chronic or longstanding infections will lead to a buildup of histamine in the body.
An excessive accumulation of histamine will lead to symptoms such as headaches.
Therefore if you have an underlying infection with a related high level of histamine, a peak in estrogen and an associated drop in DAO will lead to a spike in histamine and headaches.
If you think you suffer from histamine-related menstrual headaches, the following strategies may help.
2 Easy Approaches To Help Histamine Menstrual Headaches
For tackling histamine-related menstrual headaches, there are two approaches to help, including the following:
- Symptom-reducing
- Root-cause resolution
Let’s first look at ways to reduce symptoms.
Symptom-reducing
1. Take a Diamine Oxidase (DAO) supplement
If you get histamine-related menstrual headaches, take a DAO supplement a day or two before you expect your symptoms. I recommend Seeking Health Histamine Block.
2. Avoid high-histamine foods
High histamine foods include fermented vegetables, dairy, processed meats, and food additives. Avoiding high histamine foods a few days before and during the days you expect your headaches to occur may help reduce symptoms.
3. Take Vitamin C and Quercetin
Quercetin and Vitamin C both help to lower histamine in the body.
Taking both nutrients a few days before and during days that you expect your symptoms may improve.
I suggest taking Designs for Health Stellar C, which contains both Quercetin and Vitamin C.
Let’s now look at ways to treat the root cause.
The Root Cause Resolution
As discussed above, the body produces histamine in the presence of allergens and infections such as gut infections and Lyme disease.
Chronic or longstanding infections will lead to a buildup of histamine.
Functional medicine practitioners can help identify and treat underlying infections.
Gut infections that can cause excess histamine include Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and parasites.
What Do You Think?
Do you get menstrual headaches?
What have you found has helped?
Either way, leave a comment below.
Do You Need Help?
If you need help, I suggest you book a free functional medicine discovery session with me, in person or via video, to see whether my functional medicine approach fits your needs.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease. Please do not apply this information without first speaking with your doctor.