Hormones and MCAS with Dr. Dempsey, Mast Cell Matters: Deep Dives on MCAS

In this episode, Dr. Tania Dempsey delves into the significant interactions between hormones and mast cells, particularly in the context of puberty, menarche, pregnancy, and menopause in women with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). She explains how hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone affect mast cell behavior, and vice versa, leading to symptoms during hormonal changes. Dr. Dempsey also discusses the connections between MCAS and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), suggesting that treatments for one can often alleviate symptoms of the other due to shared underlying mechanisms involving insulin resistance. The episode also touches on lifestyle interventions and medications, such as Metformin and GLP-1 agonists, which can stabilize both hormonal fluctuations and mast cell activity, highlighting the importance of personalized medicine. Additionally, Dr. Dempsey proposes future discussions on related conditions like endometriosis, illustrating the expansive impact of hormone-mast cell interactions.