Does Progesterone Cause Acid Reflux?

Progesterone Can Prompt Reflux

There actually is a connection between progesterone and acid reflux, but first, some basics: Progesterone is a hormone that rises in the body during pregnancy and during the second half of the menstrual cycle, closer to when your period starts, according to the Endocrine Society.

Acid Reflux and Other Hormones

As it turns out, estrogen, another hormone, can also play a role in acid reflux because it can also decrease the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter, according to the Endocrine Society. That decrease in muscle tone can promote acid reflux, Dr. Rubinov says. This is why acid reflux sometimes occurs with hormone therapy, which is used by some people around menopause, or with a group of medicines called selective estrogen receptor modulators, he says.

People who are postmenopausal don't typically have a hormone-related increase in acid reflux, unless they're using hormone therapy, Dr. Rubinov says. "At menopause, progesterone levels fall, which means that their effects on the lower esophageal sphincter decline as well."

Acid Reflux and Other Factors

Of course, there are other factors besides hormones that can contribute to acid reflux too, according to the NLM, such as health conditions and certain foods and drinks.

A weight increase may also lead to acid reflux because it can up the pressure on your lower esophageal sphincter, making it less likely to stay closed when it should, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

And while some medications might cause acid reflux, hypothyroidism medications don't appear to, even though acid reflux seems to be more common in people with the condition, Dr. Rubinov says.

3 Steps to Manage Acid Reflux

If you find that you get acid reflux more frequently around your period or other times, here are a few tips from Harvard to help manage and prevent it:

Avoid foods that trigger acid reflux. These may include garlic, onions, fatty foods and spicy foods, as well as chocolate, coffee and alcohol.
Don't snooze after eating. Lying down too soon after you eat could cause acid from your stomach to go the wrong way. Try to finish eating three hours before you sleep, and avoid post-meal naps, as tempting as they may be.
Ask your doctor if any medications you're taking could contribute to acid reflux. Postmenopausal estrogen, bisphosphonates taken to raise bone density and anti-inflammatory pain relievers are among some culprits that can irritate your esophagus and contribute to acid reflux.

Read more on: livestrong