Endometriosis, SIBO, Interstitial Cystitis and Allergies: The Histamine Connection This EndoLife

Endometriosis, small intestine bacterial overgrowth and allergies. What do they have in common?
Histamines.
Whilst these conditions are multifaceted and often don’t have one root cause, there is a clear common thread connecting them all. Here’s some key takeaways:
61% of people with endo have allergies

Research has shown up to 80% of those with endo also have SIBO (some doctors argue it’s even higher at 100%)

SIBO can impair the body’s ability to break down and remove histamines from the body

Mast cells (the cells that make histamine) and histamines are found in high lever levels in patients with interstitial cystitis

Mast cells have been found in higher levels within endometriosis lesions and have been shown to be involved within the inflammatory process of endo

Endometriosis is an oestrogen driven disease and the endo lesions also increase oestrogen in the pelvic area. Oestrogen triggers mast cells to release histamines, whilst histamines can trigger further oestrogen production

Histamines can also rise as oestrogen rises with the menstrual cycle

Oestrogen lowers the effects of DAO, the enzyme that helps to break down histamines.

This overload of histamine, combined with the lack of DAO and the gut’s lessened ability to break down histamine due to SIBO, can result in a histamine intolerance scenario.
Histamine intolerance can manifest in many different ways, but some common symptoms are:
Dizziness

Sneezing

Wheezing

Runny or congested nose

Red, itchy eyes

Rashes and hives

Racing heart

Chest tightness

Diarrhea

Nausea

Irregular heart beat

Brain fog

Irritability

Food allergies and airborne allergies

In today’s episode, I’m exploring all of these links in the context of my own health challenges around IC, SIBO, endo and allergies and why I believe stress, mould and my gut health problems have been the straw that broke the camel’s back.
I hope that by sharing my story, and the investigative work I did into my health, you may be able to pick up the clues in your own situation and begin to work out what’s triggering or worsening your allergies and other symptoms, and what you can do to start lowering histamines and controlling your symptoms.
For sources and references that I used in this episode, please see below in the show notes.
P.S. Apologies if this episode sounds a little breathy, I've been having to use a different mic for a few weeks whilst we get a new lead for our other one.
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If you feel like you need more support with managing endometriosis, you can join Your EndoLife Coaching Programme. A 1-to-1 three month health and life coaching programme to help you thrive with endometriosis. To find out more about the programme and to discuss whether it could be right for you, email me at hello@thisendolife.com or visit my website.
My cookbook This EndoLife, It Starts with Breakfast is out now! Get 28 anti-inflammatory, hormone friendly recipes for living and thriving with endometriosis. Order your copy here.
This episode is sponsored by my free “Endometriosis Symptom Tracker”. If you feel like you’re just in pain or tired all the time, and you can’t tell what’s making your endo better or worse, this tracker could help you begin to understand the subtle patterns in your endometriosis symptoms. As always, this guide doesn’t replace your medical treatment and is not intended to treat or cure endometriosis, but provides you with options that helped me to live well with endometriosis. Download here.
This episode is sponsored by The Pod Farm. Learn all about how to start your own podcast with the complete course from The Pod Farm. Aimed at beginners, this course takes a simple and straightforward approach to planning, equipment buying, setting up, recording, editing and hosting your own podcast. With hours