TMC Health

02/11/2026

Bleeding on HRT?

Timing, heaviness and your individual history all matter.

Some bleeding occurs after starting or changing HRT, but unexpected bleeding shouldn’t automatically be dismissed.

Heavy, persistent or new bleeding after being
settled on treatment may require prompt assessment.

Save this video and follow TMC Health for more specialist women’s health information.

01/11/2026

01/11/2026

🩵HISTAMINE INTOLERANCE & MENOPAUSE — IS THERE A CONNECTION?

Have you noticed your body reacting differently to foods you used to enjoy?

Perhaps a glass of red w**e suddenly makes you flush, your skin feels itchy, you're experiencing unexplained bloating, or your sleep has become increasingly disrupted.

You might put it all down to menopause. But could histamine also be involved?

🔬 WHAT IS HISTAMINE INTOLERANCE?

Histamine is a natural chemical produced by your body and found in certain foods.

Histamine intolerance describes symptoms that may occur when the body struggles to break down histamine effectively. It's different from a food allergy.

🩵 WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH MENOPAUSE?

Fluctuating oestrogen and progesterone levels during perimenopause may influence histamine activity.

Symptoms sometimes associated with histamine intolerance include:

🔹 Bloating and digestive discomfort

🔹 Itchy skin, hives or flushing

🔹 Headaches and migraines

🔹 Difficulty sleeping

🔹 Palpitations

🔹 Increased sensitivity to certain foods or alcohol

These symptoms can have many different causes, so it's important not to assume histamine intolerance is responsible.

👩‍⚕️ OUR LATEST ARTICLE

Dr Paula Bradley, Women's Health Specialist, BMS Registered Specialist & Member of NAPS, at TMC Health, explains the possible connection between histamine, hormones and menopause, how symptoms are assessed and what may help.

📖 Read the full article here: https://tmchealth.co.uk/knowledge/histamine-intolerance-menopause/

💬 Have you noticed changes in how your body reacts to certain foods during perimenopause or menopause?

We'd love to hear your experiences in the comments.

🩵 Save this post or share it with someone who might find it helpful.

30/10/2026

🩺 MAST CELL ACTIVATION SYNDROME (MCAS): WHAT IS IT, HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED AND HOW CAN IT BE MANAGED?
TMC Health | Understanding Food Reactions & Midlife Health — Part 3
Have you heard of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, or MCAS?

It's a condition receiving increasing attention, particularly among people experiencing unexplained symptoms such as flushing, itching, digestive disturbances and episodes of dizziness.
But what exactly is MCAS, and what does medical science tell us?

🔬 WHAT IS MCAS?
Mast cells are an important part of our immune system. They are found throughout the body, particularly in the skin, gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system.
Their role includes helping protect us against infections and participating in allergic and inflammatory responses.
Mast cells release chemical substances called mediators, including histamine, tryptase and prostaglandins.
In Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, episodes of inappropriate mast cell mediator release can produce symptoms affecting several different body systems.
However, not everyone who experiences symptoms associated with histamine has MCAS.

🔎 WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
MCAS typically involves recurrent episodes affecting two or more organ systems.
Symptoms may include:
• Skin flushing, itching or hives
• Swelling of the lips or other tissues
• Abdominal cramping, nausea or diarrhoea
• Wheezing or breathing difficulties
• A rapid heartbeat
• A sudden fall in blood pressure, faintness or collapse
Symptoms can resemble allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.
Importantly, these symptoms are not unique to MCAS and may have other explanations.

🩺 HOW IS MCAS DIAGNOSED?
This is where careful clinical assessment becomes essential.
Internationally accepted consensus criteria generally require ALL THREE of the following:
1️⃣ Characteristic symptoms
Recurrent, significant episodes involving at least two organ systems, typically resembling systemic allergic reactions.
2️⃣ Objective evidence of mast cell activation
A measurable increase in a validated mast cell mediator during an episode.
The preferred test is serum tryptase, comparing a sample taken during the reaction with the person's usual baseline level.
3️⃣ Response to appropriate treatment
Improvement with medicines that block mast cell mediators or reduce their effects.
A diagnosis should not be made simply because someone has flushing, gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue or a perceived sensitivity to certain foods.
A single raised baseline tryptase level also does not confirm MCAS.

🥗 HOW IS MCAS MANAGED?
Treatment is individualised and may include:
✔️ Identifying and managing genuine triggers
✔️ H1 antihistamines for appropriate symptoms
✔️ H2 antihistamines or other specialist treatments in selected patients
✔️ Assessment of the risk of anaphylaxis and prescription of adrenaline auto-injectors where indicated
✔️ Investigation and management of any underlying allergic or mast cell disorder
✔️ Specialist allergy or immunology input
There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend a universal low-histamine diet for everyone with MCAS.
Restrictive diets should not be introduced without a clear clinical reason and appropriate nutritional guidance.

💜 MCAS AND MENOPAUSE — IS THERE A CONNECTION?
Flushing, palpitations, headaches and gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur during perimenopause and menopause.
Although hormones can influence aspects of immune function, there is currently insufficient clinical evidence to establish menopause as a cause of MCAS.
Symptoms that appear in midlife should not automatically be attributed to either hormonal changes or mast cell activation.
The right diagnosis matters.

🌐 https://tmchealth.co.uk/

💬 Had you heard of MCAS before, or is this a new condition to you?
Follow our educational series as we next explore why symptoms in midlife require careful differential diagnosis.

29/10/2026

💙 Histamine Intolerance, Food Allergies & MCAS – do you know the difference?

These conditions can share symptoms, but they are not the same – and getting the right diagnosis matters.

👇 Drop a comment 💬 below if you have you found it difficult to get answers about unexplained symptoms?

28/10/2026

🩺 FOOD ALLERGY: WHAT IS IT, HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED AND HOW CAN IT BE MANAGED?

TMC Health | Understanding Food Reactions — Part 2
Following our recent discussion about histamine intolerance, we're exploring another important topic: food allergy.
Many people experience unpleasant symptoms after eating, but not every reaction to food is an allergy.
Understanding the difference is essential to getting the right diagnosis and treatment.

🔬 What is a food allergy?
A food allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to a substance in food, usually a protein, that would normally be harmless.
There are different types of food allergy.
IgE-mediated food allergy usually causes symptoms within minutes to two hours of exposure, although timing can vary.
Non-IgE-mediated food allergy involves different immune mechanisms and can cause delayed symptoms, particularly gastrointestinal symptoms. These conditions are more commonly recognised in infants and children.

Common food allergens include:
🥜 Peanuts and tree nuts
🥛 Milk
🥚 Eggs
🐟 Fish and shellfish
🌾 Wheat
🫘 Soya
🌱 Sesame

🔎 What symptoms should you look out for?
Symptoms of an immediate food allergy may include:
• Itching, hives or skin redness
• Swelling of the lips, face or tongue
• Abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting
• Coughing, wheezing or breathing difficulties
• Dizziness, faintness or collapse
⚠️ Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency.
A severe allergic reaction can affect breathing or circulation and may occur without a rash.
If anaphylaxis is suspected, use an adrenaline auto-injector immediately if available and call 999.

🩺 How is food allergy diagnosed?
A diagnosis should begin with a detailed clinical history, including:
✔️ What food was eaten and how much
✔️ How quickly symptoms developed
✔️ Whether the same reaction has happened before
✔️ Any associated medical conditions or medication use
Depending on the suspected type of allergy, investigations may include:
• Skin prick testing
• Specific IgE blood testing
• A medically supervised oral food challenge, when appropriate
Importantly, a positive allergy test does not necessarily mean someone has a clinical food allergy. Results must always be interpreted alongside the patient's history.
Commercial IgG food intolerance tests, hair analysis and other unvalidated tests are not recommended for diagnosing food allergy.

🥗 How is food allergy managed?
Management depends on the allergen and severity of the reaction.
It may include:
✔️ Avoiding the confirmed allergen while maintaining a balanced diet
✔️ Understanding food labels and cross-contact risks
✔️ Developing a personalised allergy action plan
✔️ Carrying prescribed adrenaline auto-injectors and knowing when to use them
✔️ Referral to an allergy specialist and dietitian where appropriate
Some patients may be suitable for specialist treatments, including allergen immunotherapy, depending on the allergy and individual circumstances.

💜 The TMC Health approach
At TMC Health, we believe that unexplained symptoms deserve careful assessment rather than assumptions.
Food allergy, food intolerance and histamine-related symptoms can overlap, but they are not interchangeable diagnoses.
Understanding the underlying cause is essential to ensuring safe, appropriate and personalised care.
Our wider educational series explores these differences and why accurate diagnosis matters, particularly when symptoms arise or change in midlife.

🌐 Discover more about our whole-person approach to healthcare: https://tmchealth.co.uk/

💬 Did you know that a positive allergy blood test does not always mean you are allergic to that food?
Follow TMC Health for the next part of our series, where we'll explore Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).

27/10/2026

🚆 A busy day in London for Dr Joanne Hobson, CEO & Co-Founder of TMC Health 🩵

From supporting women at our Harley Street clinic to heading to the Houses of Parliament for an important discussion on Female Healthcare: Developments and the Future.

Continuing the conversation and helping shape the future of women's healthcare.

💬 How can we support you? Drop a comment below! 👇

26/10/2026

🎉❤️ We are delighted to introduce our wonderful Clinical Lead Director, Dr Natasha Davidson

Natasha is such a valued member of the TMC Health team, bringing warmth, dedication and a genuine passion for women's health to everything she does.

26/10/2026

🩺 HISTAMINE INTOLERANCE: WHAT IS IT, HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED AND CAN IT BE MANAGED?
Have you ever experienced unexplained bloating, headaches, flushing or itching after eating certain foods?
You may have come across the term histamine intolerance on social media. But what does the medical evidence actually tell us?

🔬 What is histamine intolerance?
Histamine is a naturally occurring chemical involved in immune responses, stomach acid production and several other important functions in the body.
It is also present in certain foods, particularly those that are fermented, matured or aged.
Histamine intolerance is a proposed condition in which the body has difficulty processing histamine consumed in food. One theory involves reduced activity of diamine oxidase (DAO), an enzyme involved in breaking down dietary histamine.
However, the science is still developing, and histamine intolerance is not yet a universally established diagnosis.

🔎 What symptoms are associated with it?
People reporting suspected histamine intolerance describe symptoms including:
• Headaches or migraines
• Facial flushing and skin redness
• Itching or hives
• Bloating, abdominal discomfort and diarrhoea
• Nasal congestion or a runny nose
• Occasionally, palpitations or dizziness
Importantly, these symptoms can occur in many other medical conditions. Experiencing them does not automatically mean you have histamine intolerance.

🩺 How is it diagnosed?
There is currently no single scientifically validated test that can reliably confirm histamine intolerance.
Although commercial DAO blood tests are available, they cannot establish the diagnosis on their own.
A responsible medical assessment may involve reviewing your symptoms, medical history, medications and dietary patterns, while investigating other possible causes, including allergies and gastrointestinal conditions.
Where appropriate, a healthcare professional may recommend a short, supervised trial of a lower-histamine diet, followed by gradual food reintroduction.

🥗 Can histamine intolerance be managed?
Management should be individualised and may include:
✔️ Keeping a food and symptom diary
✔️ Identifying possible dietary triggers
✔️ A short-term, dietitian-supported dietary trial where appropriate
✔️ Gradually reintroducing foods to establish individual tolerance
✔️ Investigating and treating any underlying medical conditions
Foods often discussed include aged cheeses, fermented products, cured meats and certain alcoholic drinks.
However, there is no universally agreed list of foods that everyone should avoid.
What about antihistamines and DAO supplements?
Antihistamines may help certain symptoms when clinically appropriate, but they do not confirm the diagnosis. Evidence supporting DAO supplements remains limited.

⚠️ Our message at TMC Health
Please don't spend money on expensive, unvalidated tests or eliminate entire food groups based on social media advice.
Persistent symptoms deserve a thorough medical assessment, not assumptions.

At TMC Health, we believe in listening to patients, investigating symptoms appropriately and providing personalised, evidence-informed healthcare.
🌐 Find out more about our approach to health and wellbeing: https://tmchealth.co.uk/

💬 Have you heard of histamine intolerance before? We'd be interested to know whether this is a topic you'd like us to explore further.

24/10/2026

🩵 Vaginal dryness or pain during s*x?
You deserve to feel comfortable and to know your treatment options.

These symptoms can affect everyday life, confidence and intimacy. They’re common around menopause, but that doesn’t mean you have to put up with them. 🤍

At TMC Health, we’re introducing Hyaluxelle®, a non-hormonal injectable medical device for symptoms affecting the tissue around the vaginal entrance.

🩵 What can it help with?
Vaginal dryness, burning, non-infectious itching and pain at the vaginal entrance during s*x, sometimes called dyspareunia. These can be associated with Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)**.

🩵 How does it work?
Hyaluxelle® contains hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally present in the body that holds moisture. It helps rehydrate the treated tissue and support its structure, with the aim of improving comfort.

A trained clinician administers small injections around the vaginal entrance. The recommended course is two treatment sessions, approximately 30 days apart, following an individual assessment.

🩵 Why are we offering it?
Women need choices in their menopause care. Hyaluxelle® offers an additional non-hormonal option, particularly when symptoms persist despite initial treatments or hormonal treatment is unsuitable or not preferred.

Early clinical findings are encouraging, but the evidence is still developing and results vary. Your clinician will discuss the benefits, risks and alternatives to help you decide.

You don’t need to feel embarrassed about asking for help. We’re here to listen. 🤍

Explore your options and book a consultation at www.tmchealth.co.uk — Instagram readers, follow the link in our bio.

Save this post for your next appointment, or share it with someone who may find it helpful.