1: How Anxiety, Histamines & Progesterone Are All Connected - Michelle Shapiro, RD

Join us for our Histamine and Hormones Training on September 28th!

Why do some women feel amazing during certain phases of their cycle while others feel absolutely wrecked?



In this episode, I’m joined by Michelle Shapiro, RD, a functional dietitian who works with clients navigating Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and histamine issues. She also lives with MCAS herself, bringing both professional insight and personal experience to the table.

Why do histamine flares hit hardest right when hormones shift? Tune in as we break down the menstrual cycle, step by step, and look at how mast cells and histamines interact with rising and falling hormones. The patterns aren’t always what you’d expect, and tracking them can change everything about how you handle symptoms.

You’ll Learn:

• The role of mast cells in the immune system and why histamine release can trigger so many symptoms
• The link between rising estrogen and increased histamine release
• Why people with histamine issues can have paradoxical hormone symptoms
• How long histamines actually stay in your system, and ways to avoid long-term suffering
• What happens when conditions like POTS and hypermobility overlap with histamine issues during the cycle
• Practical strategies for tracking cycle patterns to spot histamine-driven flares
• The debate around antihistamines, pregnancy, and de-stigmatizing medication for symptom relief
• Why lowering histamines must come before deeper root-cause work like gut or mineral protocols
• The connection between histamines, mast cells, and endometriosis

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[10:17] How estrogen and histamine interact to trigger symptoms during the menstrual cycle

[13:53] How progesterone and luteal phase shifts trigger unexpected symptoms in histamine, POTS, and hypermobility clients

[21:47] Tracking cycles and temperatures to spot patterns and histamine flares

[25:53] Using antihistamines and other strategies to manage flares and reduce stigma around medication

[48:09] Understanding the immune system’s role in endometriosis and its connection to histamine and progesterone

Listen to Other Hormone Healing Episodes with Michelle:

MCAS, POTS, & Hypermobility Part 1 | Listen Here

MCAS, POTS, & Hypermobility Part 2 | Listen Here

The Root Cause of Reflux | Listen Here

Resources Mentioned:

Ovia Cycle-tracking App | Website

Natural Cycles Fertility Awareness App | Website

Oura Ring | Website

Tempdrop Wearable Sensor | Website

Read Your Body App | Website

Podcast with Nina Boyce on Fertility Awareness Method | Podcast

Find more from Michelle:

Michelle Shapiro RD | Instagram

Michelle Shapiro RD | Website

Michelle Shapiro Nutrition | YouTube

Find more from Amanda:

Hormone Healing RD | Instagram

Hormone Healing RD | Website

Hormone Healing RD | Facebook

Hormone Healing RD | YouTube

Hormone Healing RD | TikTok