Hormone therapy associates with increased GERD risk

A recent study reveals that women who have taken hormone treatment for menopausal symptoms are more likely to develop gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.

The online publication of Menopause magazine on June 27, 2023, featured research that analyzed data from five previous studies with a sample size of over one million women. Notably, none of the participants had been diagnosed with GERD prior to the commencement of the study. A study conducted by researchers revealed a positive correlation between the utilization of hormone treatment for alleviating menopausal symptoms and the increased likelihood of developing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). 

GERD is a medical condition defined by symptoms such as heartburn, dysphagia, and chest pain. The incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was shown to be 41% higher among women who received estrogen monotherapy, whereas those who had progesterone-only hormone therapy exhibited a 39% increased likelihood of developing GERD. The administration of a hormone therapy regimen comprising both estrogen and progesterone has been found to be associated with a 16% higher incidence rate of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

  

Because the study was observational, it could not show that hormone therapy causes GERD, simply that there is a connection. Female hormones are thought to relax the muscles that govern the lower esophageal sphincter (the valve that connects the esophagus to the stomach), enabling stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus. According to the research authors, women seeking hormonal therapy should assess their other risk factors for GERD and make the required lifestyle adjustments to prevent it, such as stopping smoking, keeping a healthy weight, and not lying down after eating heavy meals.

This research is still being monitored.

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