Do you get heartburn on your period?

Do you ever feel like your body is playing a game of “let’s throw everything at her all at once”? As if dealing with the cramps, fatigue, and mood swings wasn’t enough, some women also experience heartburn during their period. It may seem like an odd symptom to associate with menstruation, but trust us – it’s a real thing.

So what causes this fiery phenomenon? And more importantly – how can you prevent it from happening again? Keep reading to get the down-low on period-related heartburn.

The Science Behind Menstrual Heartburn

Firstly, let’s clarify what heartburn actually is. According to Medical News Today: “Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest that occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus.” This usually happens as a result of eating certain trigger foods or lying down immediately after eating.

However, during menstruation (and for some women even throughout their entire menstrual cycle), hormones such as estrogen and progesterone cause changes in digestive function. Specifically:

  • Slower digestion: Estrogen slows down muscle contractions in the intestines which can lead to constipation and bloating.
  • Relaxation of muscles: Progesterone relaxes smooth muscles throughout the body including those lining the digestive tract.
  • Increased acidity: Hormonal fluctuations can increase stomach acid production which exacerbates symptoms.

All these factors combined make it easier for stomach contents (i.e. acid) to flow back into the esophagus leading to that characteristic burning feeling we know too well.

Symptoms of Menstrual Heartburn

Most people are familiar with typical heartburn symptoms such as:

  • Burning sensation in chest
  • Sour taste in mouth
  • Difficulty swallowing
    But menstrual heartburn presents slightly differently. Here are some additional signs that suggest your monthly cycle might be contributing:

  • Increased severity: If you already suffer from heartburn but find it intensifies around your period, that’s a good indicator.

  • Timing: Does the onset coincide with the start of your cycle? (Hint – this is probably why you’re reading this article!)
  • Constipation/Bloating: Do you also notice increased abdominal discomfort and difficulty passing stool during menstruation?

Prevention Tips

Alright, we’ve covered what causes menstrual heartburn and how to recognize it. But let’s face it – dealing with yet another unpleasant symptom every month is not something anyone needs. Here are some tips for reducing the likelihood of getting period-related heartburn:

Avoid Triggers

While hormone fluctuations may be out of our control, there are certain foods and activities that can exacerbate symptoms. These include:
– Spicy or acidic foods
– Caffeine/alcohol
– Eating too quickly/over-eating in general
Try cutting down on these if they seem to worsen your heartburn.

Stay Upright After Meals

As tempting as it might be to cozy up on the couch after dinner (especially when cramps hit), lying flat increases the chances stomach acid will flow back into your esophagus. Try sitting upright or going for a walk to aid digestion.

Get Movin’

Physical activity helps speed up digestion which can reduce bloating/constipation in turn lowering risk for reflux. Yoga poses such as ‘downward-facing dog’ or ‘cobra’ can help especially during menstruation when flexibility tends to decrease.

Medications

If all else fails, you may want to consider taking antacids/proton-pump inhibitors before meals while experiencing intense symptoms. Be sure to consult a physician first though because overuse of such medication can lead acidic rebound making symptoms worse later on.

Conclusion

Heartburn understandably makes an unwelcome appearance during one’s monthly visitor, but now you know there are steps to take for prevention. While we can’t control hormones, avoiding triggers and making simple lifestyle changes will help make that time of the month a little more bearable. Stay strong ladies (and stock up on Tums).

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