Heartburn from Estrogen?

Users of hormone therapy, the selective estrogen-receptor modulator raloxifene, or over-the-counter soy estrogen products were more likely to report GERD symptoms than were never users.

Elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone have been associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD; Table 1 lists key symptoms).

Using information obtained in the Nurses’ Health Study — a large, prospective cohort study in which female nurses (age range at entry, 30–55) completed health-related questionnaires biennially during 26 years of follow-up — investigators sought to determine whether postmenopausal hormone use is related to risk for GERD.

Overall, 12,000 of the 51,000 participants reported experiencing symptoms of GERD at least once weekly. Risk for GERD symptoms was higher in current users of estrogen-only hormone therapy (odds ratio, 1.66) or of estrogen plus progesterone (OR, 1.41) than in never users; risk also was highe…

Reviewing Author

Wendy S. Biggs, MD

Heartburn from Estrogen?

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Reviewing Author