Progesterone and acid reflux: what is the connection?

Progesterone and acid reflux
There is a link between progesterone and acid reflux, but first, some bases: progesterone is a hormone that rises in the body during pregnancy and during the second half of the menstrual cycle, closer to the start of your rules, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Progesterone allows the uterus mucosa to thicken, which helps the body prepare for a fertilized egg. If this does not happen, the levels of progesterone decrease and a menstrual period begins.
Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux, is what happens when what is in your stomach does not circulate in your system as it should, but rather goes up in your throat through your esophagus, according to Mayo Clinic. If it seems painful, it is because it can be: it can cause stomach burns, plus a bitter and uncomfortable taste in your mouth.
Progesterone can soften the lower esophageal sphincter, which is the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach which helps food and acid in your stomach to stay where it belongs, according to the medical center of the University of Rochester. If this does not work properly, it can lead to acid reflux, explains Jason R. Rubinov, MD, Gastroenterologist and Clinical Instructor of Medicine at the Icahn Medicine School of Mont Sinai in New York.
This means that progesterone can indeed cause or worsen reflux, including when you get your rules. This is also why acid reflux is a common problem during pregnancy.



:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Health-EileenDavidsonPortrait-v3-8ae2ce0658724237a965e85eb5dbd18d.png?w=390&resize=390,220&ssl=1)
