Menopause, estrogen, and GERD: an exploration of symptoms and endoscopic correlations

Objectives To define the pattern of symptoms and severity of GERD among premenopausal and postmenopausal women in relation to estrogen levels and endoscopy findings. Methods The research was carried out in the Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Motility inside the Gastroenterology Department at PSGIMS&R, Coimbatore and the following approval from Institutional Human Ethics Committee (IHEC). Results The findings reveal significant variations in estrogen levels between premenopausal and postmenopausal women with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), with premenopausal women having higher levels (82.80 ± 27.91 to 150.43 ± 40.80 pg/mL) compared to postmenopausal women (6.05 ± 2.75 to 17.30 ± 5.43 pg/mL, p < 0.001). This decline in estrogen post-menopause is associated with increased GERD symptoms and endoscopic abnormalities. Conclusion The study concludes that reduced estrogen levels in postmenopausal women are linked to a higher prevalence of GERD symptoms, including heartburn and dysphagia, compared to premenopausal women. Endoscopic findings further support the correlation between hormonal changes and GERD severity, highlighting the necessity for careful evaluation of GERD risk factors.