Is hayfever a menopause symptom?

Is hayfever a menopause symptom?

Well, yes and no! Let me explain…

Changing levels of hormones in the peri-menopause and menopause put tremendous pressure on the body and this can then manifest in lots of ways including:

• Weakening the nervous system
• Affecting digestion and your friendly gut bacteria
• Affecting sleep
• Causing fatigue
• Weakening your immune system.

And how can all this cause hayfever?

• A weak immune system will make you more prone to allergies such as hayfever
• If your nervous system is under pressure you get stressed more easily and it is known that stress, especially if it is ongoing, will have a negative effect on your immune system
• If your digestion is poor then you may be nutritionally deficient, which will affect the immune system. We also know that friendly bacteria play a pivotal role in supporting the immune system and that if your digestion and elimination are not good this can directly affect the level of friendly bacteria in the gut
• We know that poor sleep can weaken the immune system
• Fatigue can grind you down making you more susceptible to infections.

So, although hayfever itself is not a menopause symptom, if all this is going on it is no surprise that some women will suddenly start itching and sneezing as the hayfever season swings into gear.

Is there anything you can do to prevent this from happening?

Yes!

Looking after yourself well in the menopause is really important, so make sure that you have a good, varied diet with lots of plain water, plenty of rest and relaxation and sensible exercise. All of these can help to keep your immune system strong and healthy.

Natural remedies can often be really helpful for hayfever symptoms.

• For general hayfever symptoms you could try Pollinosan Hayfever Tablets.
• For a blocked, runny, itchy, sneezy nose you could try Pollinosan Nasal Spray.

Both of these are non-drowsy, fast acting and there are no contraindications listed with other medication or contraception or HRT.

• For itchy, red, scratchy, runny or dry eyes you could try A.Vogel Eye Drops which contain no preservatives. These can be used even if you wear contact lenses.
• For itchy skin and prickly heat you could try the herb Urtica or drink 2-3 cups of nettle tea a day – nettle is a natural anti-histamine.

For more in-depth information on hayfever, as well as lots tips and advice of how to relieve the symptoms, pop over to A.Vogel Talks Hayfever.

Do you find your allergies have worsened or have you developed new ones recently?