Seasonal Allergies Meet Menopause: Double Trouble or Manageable Challenge?

Seasonal Allergies Meet Menopause: Double Trouble or Manageable Challenge? 

If your hay fever has worsened or you’ve developed new allergies since entering perimenopause, you’re not alone. The combination of changing hormones and seasonal allergens creates a perfect storm that affects many women during menopause. 

This isn’t coincidence, it’s a documented phenomenon that requires targeted strategies addressing both hormonal changes and increased allergy symptoms. 

The Hormone-Allergy Connection 

Estrogen and histamine work closely together in your body. Estrogen triggers cells to release more histamine while reducing your body’s ability to break it down. Research shows that estrogen receptors on immune cells push your body toward stronger allergic reactions (Bonds & Midoro-Horiuti, 2013). 

During perimenopause, dramatic estrogen swings create: 

• Increased histamine release 

• Reduced histamine breakdown 

• Stronger reactions to allergens 

• New sensitivities to previously tolerated substances 

Natural Antihistamine Solutions 

Quercetin: Nature’s Allergy Fighter 

Quercetin, found in onions, apples, and berries, blocks histamine release and reduces inflammatory chemicals. Research shows it works better than some prescription allergy medications at stopping inflammatory reactions (Mlcek et al., 2016). 

One study found that taking quercetin four weeks before allergy season significantly reduced itchy, watery eyes and other hay fever symptoms (Jafarinia et al., 2020). 

Vitamin C: The Natural Antihistamine 

People with allergies often have low vitamin C levels. This powerful antioxidant calms the cells that produce histamine and reduces inflammation without weakening your immune system (Ghalibaf et al., 2023). 

A major study showed that vitamin C treatment significantly reduced both allergy symptoms and related problems like fatigue and sleep issues (Vollbracht et al., 2018). 

Practical Management Strategies 

Targeted Supplements 

• Quercetin: Start before allergy season for best results 

• Vitamin C: Take in divided doses throughout the day 

• DAO enzyme supplements: Take before meals containing histamine-rich foods 

Diet and Lifestyle Changes 

Smart nutrition choices include: 

• More quercetin-rich foods: onions, apples, berries, green tea 

• Fresh fruits and vegetables for vitamin C 

• Avoiding aged cheeses, fermented foods, and alcohol 

Environmental strategies: 

• Check pollen counts and stay indoors during peak times 

• Use air purifiers in bedrooms 

• Shower after being outdoors 

• Consider discussing hormone therapy with your doctor for severe cases 

Managing Overlapping Symptoms 

Many histamine intolerance symptoms—itchy skin, headaches, fatigue, and digestive issues—overlap with menopause symptoms (Jafarinia et al., 2020). Key strategies include: 

• Tracking symptoms to identify patterns 

• Working with both allergy specialists and menopause experts 

• Trying interventions gradually to see what works 

• Regular monitoring and adjustments 

References 

Bonds, R. S., & Midoro-Horiuti, T. (2013). Estrogen effects in allergy and asthma. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 13(1), 92-99. 

Ghalibaf, M. H. E., Kianbakht, S., Binti Che Mood, N. A., & Ghaemi, A. (2023). The effects of vitamin C on respiratory, allergic and immunological diseases: an experimental and clinical-based review. Frontiers in Immunology, 14, 1113198. 

Jafarinia, M., Hosseini, M. S., Kasiri, N., Fazel, N., Fathi, F., Ganjalikhani Hakemi, M., & Eskandari, N. (2020). Quercetin with the potential effect on allergic diseases. Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology, 16, 36.

Mlcek, J., Jurikova, T., Skrovankova, S., & Sochor, J. (2016). Quercetin and its anti-allergic immune response. Molecules, 21(5), 623. 

Vollbracht, C., Raithel, M., Krick, B., Kraft, K., & Hagel, A. F. (2018). Intravenous vitamin C in the treatment of allergies: An interim subgroup analysis of a long-term observational study. Journal of International Medical Research, 46(9), 3640-3655.