If hormone replacement therapy made you feel worse instead of better, histamine may be the missing piece. In this episode of Menopause Rescue, Dr. Polly Watson explains how estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone affect mast cells and histamine, why some women experience worsening symptoms after starting HRT, and how mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) can sometimes mimic menopause.

You'll learn how to recognize common signs of histamine-related reactions, understand why diagnosis can be challenging, and explore practical treatment strategies, including medications, supplements, dietary changes, and nervous system support. Dr. Watson shares a functional medicine approach to helping women successfully navigate menopause while minimizing mast cell and histamine symptoms.

Quotes

• "Estrogen destabilizes mast cells, and mast cells contain histamine—that's where this connection is coming from." — Dr. Polly Watson
• "A misinformed clinician might make things worse by increasing estrogen when the real problem is mast cell activation." — Dr. Polly Watson
• "If hormone replacement therapy made you feel worse instead of better, don't give up—we may simply need a different strategy." — Dr. Polly Watson

Resources

• Stress vs Trauma Body Responses

Connect with Dr. Polly Watson

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