I used to love eating seafood, but since beginning perimenopause, if I do my tongue starts to itch and get hives. My OBGYN said sometimes food allergies can start due to a hormone imbalance. Has anyone else experienced food allergies or digestive issues since starting menopause?– R, Texas
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27Real experiences shared by the community, from the original discussion to today.
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Mandy6 years ago
Yeap .... now gluten allergy, just thought I had bad indigestion cut out gluten for last 3 weeks and finally starting to feel normal (ish)
Wardy6 years ago
Yes I have loads of food, environmental and pet allergies which are now so much worse ... string antihistamine helps but also get cramps too ... it’s such a joyful time ?xx
Lucia6 years ago
Omg yes...the itchy tongue and wheezing Caffeine, almonds, cashews. Beer and some wine or cider is more severe, heat around my face and head my nose and throat starts to get stuffy, I start wheezing and coughing. Covered in a rash that looks like continents joining up over time. I have to take antihistamines and inhalers. My worry is that one day I’ll go into anaphylaxis. Every week there’s a new sensitivity. Bread, but not gluten, malt vinegar, strawberries! Grrrrr
Joanne6 years ago
I’m post menopause and I have experienced bloating food intolerances and worsening IBS My doctor wants me to have a endoscopy which I’m not looking forward too.
Jules6 years ago
Absolutely! I developed allergies to my medication and some herbs. And my Crohn’s has gotten a lot worse too.
Sally6 years ago
Yes yes yes!!! Can’t eat diary, can’t eat meat or meat products! Suffered for yrs and just found better when I give up the food types. Can’t drink anything with bubbles! Dieticians and gastroenterologist have no idea why I have so much stomach pains. Every test and procedure done and no reasons. Give up food and I’m 95 percent better!!! I’m only peri menapausal!!!
Beth6 years ago
Yes! It’s one of the things I wanna talk to my dr about. I’ve developed even more allergies and some have significantly worsened
Jo6 years ago
Yes I’m now affected by gluten (swelling/pain/lethargy) I also have intolerance to lemon, milk and cucumber- acid indigestion! Can’t have any caffeine at all as it gives me palpitations and makes me feel sick.
Jo6 years ago
Omg! Yes definitely!! I now can’t drink alcohol. I become incredibly itchy across my shoulders and face and want to sleep after one glass! I can’t have dairy, strawberries or wheat. My skin is so dry I’ve tried endless creams and lotions. I find it’s worse after having a shower.! I’ve been to my doctor endless times and am now on oestrogen gel HRT and high dose antihistamines!!
Sophie6 years ago
I have always had a lot of allergies but since my hysterectomy last year I have developed a dairy allergy (requires an epipen after an anaphylactic shock incident with a rather lovely ice cream) which is such a pain. My family joke that I should only eat dust and cardboard but no doubt I would produce an allergy to that too!
Theresa6 years ago
Yes I have crazy diarrhea since March recently I am on this orange mix 2 a day to fix it. And about a month ago I had the worst heartburn ever and now I take 4 pills a day to help me with that. One doctor said a lot of people are experiencing GI issues since COVID-19.
Karen6 years ago
I have a gluten sensitivity and my tongue is always burning.Recently diagnosed with oral lichen planus as well.I believe it can be related with the menopause.
Suzie6 years ago
Since starting the menopause early, due to other factors I was diagnosed with IBS. I became intolerant to dairy, coffee and red wine. Sometimes seafood would upset my stomach if I consumed alcohol with the meal, very strange I know.
Anon6 years ago
Yes. I couldn’t work out why I was so fatigued all the time, and in constant pain - particularly my back, but at times joint pain too. I saw a nutritionist, followed the advice to a T. No better. I am on HRT - no improvement to those symptoms (though I cry a lot less, so it’s helping with the most overt symptom) Then I did a simple intolerance test. I knew and know there is no clinical significance - and the reliability of this type of testing remains questionable but it was money well spent for me. So, milk, cream, yoghurt, butter and cheese, stoned fruit, almonds, brazils, vinegar, avocado, seeds that flower (linseed) etc. Pretty much everything I had moved to on my nutritionists advice. Excluded them. Symptoms went. Still tired all the time but not in the same way. I have dabbled with reintroduction - but the symptoms returned and more! I also have autoimmune thyroiditis
Tracey6 years ago
I did exactly the same, a simple intolerance test and had a list as long as your arm!! The pain and bloating disappeared and I lost weight. The only thing I’ve been able to reintroduce is egg yolk. Sleep, thin skin - very easy to bleed or bruise, joint pain are my worst problems now.
CK6 years ago
Yes. I’m just in the early stages but I’ve been getting itchy mouth and tongue when I eat some foods (I’m leaning towards wheat and avocado so far). Cloudy wheat beer makes me itch all over. Alcohol makes me flush terribly now- like 1 drink and I look sunburned. :( Ugh.
Kat6 years ago
I have had a severe skin reaction for several years, have had numerous tests and nothing conclusive. I feel it could be connected to Peri-menopause but was told by dermatologist it wasn’t. Recently I have also started to react to alcohol and some foods, there seems like no consistency though one time I’m fine the next my face and neck really start to burn and itch and I feel wheezy, antihistamines help.
Michelle6 years ago
I can’t believe how many people have this problem. I never related my problems to menopause. I’ve not eaten gluten for years because of health problems and IBS. Just 12 months ago I started having more and more stomach problems than usual and losing weight as unable to eat anything. After lots and lots of tests as the consultant thought I had crohns - nothing came back positive and it was put down to a possible virus and IBS. As I said I’m one year from when it started and I’m still struggling with foods irritating me constantly. Why is it that consultants/drs aren’t aware of this and we endure endless tests.
Alison6 years ago
Just recently I have developed an allergy to shrimp and prawns. No other shellfish. Just those two. It seems to be getting more severe. Itching, hives, swelling throat. It’s to the point where I’m scared I’ll go into anaphylactic shock or something if I eat them.
Monica6 years ago
Yes, I have IBS and a ton of food allergies all triggered during perimenopause. My GI doc placed me on the FODMAP diet and with the help of a registered dietitian, the Monash University, and FODMAP Everyday websites I discovered the foods that caused my symptoms. It has been a long process to figure this out but so worth it!
Jennifer5 years ago
Exactly same as me with developing IBS from perimenopause and FODMAP diet from Monash has helped me tremendously.
Samantha6 years ago
Yes! High histamine foods! It’s the worst, I feel like I can’t eat anything when estrogen changes in my cycle.
R x6 years ago
Hi, yes, I’ve had much more episodes of IBS and have been Struggling with Fecal continence, very anxious ?
Kristin6 years ago
Loads! The Doctor put me on the FODMAP diet which really helped. I have found I can eat bread without yeast - so sourdough or bread made with yoghurt (sounds odd, tastes great!) I always had intolerances, but they suddenly got so bad that I ended up in hospital with the pain ?
Wendy6 years ago
It’s so good this topic is being discussed. Really feel for all of you who have issues, as it’s not always clear with dietary and digestion, what is the underlying cause. It is not a main stay of ‘the list’ of expected or likely symptoms. I’ve recently signed up with a dietitian who is going to help me with my own symptoms. It’s a shame that, and this applies to UK only, that we are not guided more by our GP’s to link dietary intolerance symptoms with the various stages of the menopause. It’s great to see other women’s feedback on this very unpublicised problem and know you are not alone.
Sara6 years ago
Wow after reading the comments! I have had my tongue swell up almost blocking my throat luckily it’s only one side each time and goes down 6 hours after any histamines have no idea what causes it, I have eaten different foods each time but twice a roast!! Not seen docs since lockdown difficulty in getting to see one
Ellie4 years ago
Ladies! Ladies! I feel for you ? l would have never thought that the menopause was related to all the symptoms that’s been mentioned in this discussion! My stomachs not been the same since Monday after eating scrambled tofu that l made with spices, not sure if it’s the spices that have irritated my stomach. It could be the mushrooms that l had with it ! My stomach was bloated soon after l had it, it looked like l was pregnant, l felt ? stomach started making some gurgling sounds! The only thing l have been able to have since is dry crackers! However l did have a banana and that was fine. Going to contact the doctor to see what they suggest!