Understanding Histamine & Endometriosis — What Every Woman Should Know
By Kristy | The Shebie Foundation
Introduction
If you’re living with Endometriosis, you’ve probably heard about inflammation, hormone cycles, and diet triggers. But one lesser-known factor that could be intensifying your symptoms is histamine — a natural compound in your body that plays a key role in inflammation and immune response.
Recent research suggests histamine might amplify the pain and inflammation linked with Endometriosis — and by understanding it, you may gain one more tool to manage your health.
What Is Histamine?
Histamine is a naturally occurring compound involved in your immune system, digestion, and nervous system. It’s also found in many common foods.
When histamine levels rise, the body increases blood flow, tissue swelling, and nerve sensitivity — all things that can make Endo pain worse.
According to Endo-App, histamine is:
“A messenger substance that affects inflammation, blood flow, and pain perception.”
How Histamine Impacts Endometriosis
If you have Endometriosis, histamine may act like fuel on the fire. Here’s how:
Increases inflammation: Histamine boosts blood flow and swelling — worsening inflammation in affected tissue.
Amplifies pain: It affects nerve pathways and can heighten pain sensitivity.
Influences hormones: Histamine can trigger oestrogen release, which drives Endo growth.
Affects mood: High histamine levels are linked to anxiety and depression, both common in chronic pain conditions.
While histamine may not cause Endometriosis, it could definitely intensify symptoms.
Foods & Habits That Increase Histamine
Histamine is found naturally in certain foods and released by your immune system in response to stress, allergens, or hormones.
Common histamine-rich or histamine-releasing foods:
Aged or fermented foods — e.g., cheeses, smoked meats, sauerkraut, kimchi
Alcohol and fermented beverages
Tomatoes, spinach, chocolate, nuts, strawberries
Processed meats, flavour enhancers, and yeast extracts
Other triggers:
Some medications can release histamine or reduce your ability to break it down (for example: aspirin, diclofenac, certain antibiotics, or cardiovascular drugs).
Never adjust medication without speaking to your doctor.
Practical Ways to Support Your Body
If you think histamine might be a factor in your Endo symptoms, here’s where to start:
Keep a food diary. Track meals, symptoms, and pain patterns — this helps identify hidden triggers.
Reduce, don’t eliminate. Aim to moderate high-histamine foods instead of cutting everything out.
Choose fresh over aged. Fresh meats, fish, and dairy generally contain less histamine.
Speak with a professional. Work with your Endo-specialist or a nutritionist to design a sustainable plan.
Listen to your body. You’re the expert in what feels right for you — not every “trigger” affects everyone the same way.
Why This Matters
Understanding the histamine–Endometriosis connection empowers you to take control of your own health narrative.
At The Shebie Foundation, we believe women deserve to be heard, believed, and educated about every piece of their health puzzle — including how diet and inflammation affect their bodies.
By paying attention to histamine, you may uncover a missing link that helps you feel stronger, clearer, and more in control of your journey.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational and awareness purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary or treatment changes.
