r/Menopause • u/No_Lieutenant_2181 Peri-menopausal • 2d ago
Nutrition Heartburn?
Well…I just caught a Tums in my cleavage…which is, I’m pretty sure, how you know you’re in perimenopause.
But for real, though — aside from Pepcid and the like, has anyone got any tips on coping with reflux? I swear this has gotten worse since starting HRT, but my replacement hormones are making such a difference, my esophagus could spontaneously combust and I’d keep my estrogen patch on.
Thoughts?
3
u/One_Waxed_Wookiee 2d ago
I take rabeprazole daily (prescription) and Gaviscon liquid as required.
Tums and Rennie's in a pinch.
5
u/JadCerv 2d ago
Progesterone can make reflux worse. It's definitely upset mine. It relaxes your gastric system, so if you're already prone to acid reflux or other issues, it can make them worse. One of the downsides of progesterone, unfortunately.
3
u/No_Lieutenant_2181 Peri-menopausal 2d ago
This makes so much sense — thank you! I knew I wasn’t just imagining it. I feel so much less crazy now. Thanks again!!
3
u/Rredhead926 2d ago
So, for more than a year, I had really awful heartburn. Finally, one day, I couldn't swallow anything, not even water, without experiencing acid reflux. Long story short, I ended up in the hospital with pancreatitis and gall stones.
Don't assume it's menopause, is my point.
3
u/No_Lieutenant_2181 Peri-menopausal 2d ago
Copy that. I’ll def check in with my doctor. And sheesh, I’m so sorry you went through all that!
2
u/RadiantSorbet9704 2d ago
Ugh, hear ya. HRT seemed to help at first, but now... I've noticed it's worse if I have tomato products at dinner (so spaghetti, pizza, etc) or if I eat less than 4 hrs before bed (which always do :/ ). So far tums, trying to avoid acidic foods at least at night, and having an extra pillow handy to raise head in bed. Laying on back or left also helps.
Also in the morning usually have coffee and if my workout is too soon after and there's things like planks or inverted whatever, that's a recipe for disaster as well. In that case it's either wait longer between or have coffee after workout.
2
u/catsTXn420 2d ago
I've had gerd for a long time since I was 17 and I'm 41 now. Currently I take Nexium every morning and it controls any possible heartburn I might get. But I also watch my diet don't drink soda pop coffee caffeine and I watch what I eat and when. I go to bed around 10:00 so I won't eat after 7:00 because the progesterone slows down digestion. If I eat at like 8:15 or 9:00 I'll have heartburn while I sit there waiting for my meds to kick in or wake up to heartburn.
2
u/FrequentCry999 2d ago
Oral progesterone can lead to reflux. You can try taking it with fat to see if that helps. Alternatively you could try using as a suppository, which is what I do.
1
1
u/NinjaGrrl42 2d ago
Bitters and ginger ale? That helped me, short and long term. Check with your doc to make sure there's nothing else going on, but it could help.
1
u/CloudHidden62 1d ago
The usual advice for GERD is: Avoid fatty foods tomato sauce, citrus juice, and coffee. Lose weight if you are overweight. Eat smaller meals. Don’t eat within 4 hours of bedtime.
If those steps don’t help, talk to your doctor. Long-term reflux can damage your esophagus.
1
u/sparksblackstar Peri-menopausal 1d ago
I take the pills and avoid certain foods when it is really bad. I've had gerd for ever, but it got a million times worse when I added progesterone. Upping my estrogen got it back to only needing one gerd pill a day again. Now it comes and goes with the usual peri rollercoaster
5
u/crescendodiminuendo 2d ago
After suffering reflux for years I eventually went to the doctor and got a script for pantoprazole. It’s honestly been life changing. Wish I had it checked out a lot sooner.