| |  | | Is Reflux Related to Hormone Changes?
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Julie
Posted on: September 24, 2006
I have acid reflux, which I thought I was getting under control. I am 45 and am having real bad hot flashes off and on. It seems my reflux is worse before I get my period. Are hormones the reason that my body is so screwed up? I am so depressed. I lost a lot of weight and can’t seem to eat very many foods.
Yes, reflux is related to female hormones. The Journal of the American Medical Association http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/290/1/66 describes a study that shows this relationship.
Please see our website at www.richters.com for information on reflux. Choose "Q&A" from the main menu, then enter "reflux" for the search. It is especially helpful to take slippery elm bark powder. Slippery elm is a very safe herb that provides a protective covering to the entire digestive tract. You can take it several times a day, but it is most important to take it at night, to protect the digestive tract while you are sleeping.
Because estrogen does appear to be a factor, look at balancing your hormones with chasteberry (Vitex agnus castus) and a herb to support the liver in its role in processing hormones, for example dandelion root. For more information on balancing hormones, please enter "hormone" for the Q&A search on our website.
A feeling of depression can be related to hormone changes around the time of menopausal changes. The herb vervain (Verbena officinalis) is helpful in balancing the mood and also provides support to the liver.
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