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Estrogen, progesterone and the gastrointestinal tract
R Eliakim1, O Abulafia, D M Sherer
1Division of Gastroenterology, Rambam Medical Center, Technion School of Medicine, Haifa, Israel.
The Journal of Reproductive Medicine
|November 15, 2000
Summary
Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) involving estrogen and progesterone impacts the gastrointestinal tract. This review details both the beneficial and detrimental effects of these hormones on digestive organs.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Endocrinology
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Increasing use of postmenopausal hormonal replacement therapy (HRT).
- Estrogen and progesterone are known to affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current literature on the GI effects of estrogen and progesterone.
- To inform obstetrician-gynecologists about these physiological and therapeutic effects.
Main Methods:
- MEDLINE search of English-language literature (1966–April 2000).
- Keywords included hormones (estrogen, progesterone, oral contraceptives, HRT) and GI organs/conditions (esophagus, stomach, PUD, gallbladder, IBS, colon, IBD, ischemic colitis, AVMs).
Main Results:
- Estrogen and progesterone exert both beneficial and detrimental effects on the GI tract.
- Specific effects were observed on the esophagus, stomach, gallbladder, small intestine, and large intestine.
Conclusions:
- Hormonal replacement therapy significantly influences gastrointestinal physiology.
- Clinicians should be aware of the dual nature of these hormonal effects in patient care.