Hormone Replacement Therapy Linked to Greater IBS, Gastric Motility Disorder Risk

Hormone replacement therapy is associated with an increased risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastric motility disorders in postmenopausal women, according to findings from a pair of studies presented at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Building upon prior hypotheses that female sex hormones influence the higher prevalence of IBS and gastric motility disorders in women, the studies explored the role hormone replacement therapy plays in this risk and found it was linked to an increased likelihood of developing IBS and gastric motility disorders as well as elevated gastrointestinal symptoms, medication utilization, and diagnostic testing.

“What ultimately inspired me is the lack of current data that's out there. In the GI clinic that I work in, we see an increased population of women that come in with functional GI disorders, and I think there is a huge need for continued research really paying attention to what other things potentially could be contributing to this, their underlying gastrointestinal diagnosis,” Jacqueline Khalil, DO, an internal medicine resident at Case Western Reserve University/MetroHealth, explained to HCPLive.

In her studies, Khalil examined data for postmenopausal women ≥ 50 years of age with and without hormone replacement therapy, including estrogen and progesterone, to compare their risk of developing IBS and gastric motility disorders.

Findings showed postmenopausal women prescribed hormone replacement therapy had a greater risk of developing IBS (Odds ratio [OR], 1.75; 95% CI, 1.58-1.94) and gastric motility disorders including gastroparesis or functional dyspepsia (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.16-1.68). Additionally, in both studies, a hormone therapy prescription was associated with elevated GI symptoms and medication prescription.

Khalil noted neither study looked at the independent effects of estrogen versus progesterone, citing this as a potential avenue for future research. Additionally, she called attention to the role this research could play in informing IBS and gastric motility disorder treatment in the future.

Editors' note: Khalil has no relevant disclosures.

References

1. ^{Khalil J, Sun Y, Kaelber D, et al. P2357 - Hormone Replacement Therapy Is Associated With Increased Risk of Developing Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Post-Menopausal Women. Paper presented at: ACG 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. October 25-30, 2024.}
2. ^{Khalil J, Sun Y, Kaelber D, et al. P3327 - The Association Between Hormone Replacement Therapy and Gastric Motility Disorders in Post-Menopausal Women. Paper presented at: ACG 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. October 25-30, 2024.}