Many women begin to experience new or worsening symptoms of indigestion and acid reflux during menopause, such as a burning sensation, upper abdominal pain, and bloating. If these symptoms were mild before, they may become more bothersome during perimenopause and beyond.
Estrogen appears to have a protective effect against Barrett’s Esophagus, a condition in which the lining of the esophagus is damaged due to long-term exposure to acid. However, this protective effect diminishes with menopause. HRT may help reduce inflammation in the esophagus and potentially reduce the likelihood of esophageal cancer.