Are Oral Estrogens Bad for Acid Reflux?

Oral estrogen in the form of birth control pills or estrogen replacement therapy can make existing acid reflux worse or even trigger the condition.

History

• Women who take birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are much more likely than other women to experience acid reflux. In fact, one study of older women found they had a 66 percent higher risk of acid reflux if they took oral estrogen.

Cause

• The cause of increased acid reflux in women taking oral estrogen such as birth control pills and HRT appears to be hormonal, although clinicians have not yet pinpointed the mechanism.

Theories/Speculation

• Some physicians speculate that hormones may relax the lower valve on the esophagus, allowing stomach acid to rise and causing the familiar burn of acid reflux.

Considerations

• In many cases, increased symptoms of acid reflux due to oral estrogen can be managed so that symptoms are tolerable and women can continue to take their HRT or birth control.

Prevention/Solution

• In cases where the acid reflux is uncontrollable, physicians say it may be necessary to try a different formulation of HRT or birth control. For example, symptoms can be decreased by trying a new oral medication with a lower dose of estrogen.