If you have noticed that you usually get a painful or burning feeling in your chest or throat around your menstrual period, it’s not just because of overeating.

One of the potential reasons can be Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). 

Premenstrual Syndrome is a collection of many symptoms women face during their menstruating years.

The most common symptoms during PMS are gastrointestinal symptoms. Heartburn is among one of them.

This symptom can be extremely unpleasant and discomforting. 

But some tips and tricks may help reduce heartburn during your menstrual period. 

Read this article to learn about heartburn PMS and some easy ways to prevent it.

Fact:
Heartburn is commonly reported along with indigestion and bloating.

What is PMS heartburn

Sore throat
Sore throat

PMS heartburn is similar to a typical heartburn you may face on normal days. The only difference is that it happens during your period.

Heartburn may feel like a burning sensation in the middle of your chest. The burning sensation is also felt in your throat when the acid rises through your esophagus.

The acid reflux during Menstruation may go away on its own. But sometimes, it may get severe. 

It becomes chronic when it occurs frequently, even after your menstrual period. This chronic condition is called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

You may notice the following symptoms when the heartburn gets severe:

  • Non-burning chest pain
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Atypical reflux symptoms:
    • Sore throat
    • Coughing
    • Increased salivation
    • Shortness of breath
Recommended Article:
To learn about another gastrointestinal problem, bloating, read Your Comprehensive Guide to PMS Bloating.

Cause of heartburn during Menstruation

It seems hormones are the root of a range of gastrointestinal symptoms you face during Premenstrual Syndrome. 

Your hormone levels change constantly throughout the menstrual cycle. The heartburn might be due to this change or fluctuation.

The esophageal sphincter is located between the esophagus and the stomach. 

The lower esophageal sphincter will relax due to the female hormones connected to your menstrual cycle (Progesterone, Estrogen, FSH, etc.). 

The relaxation makes the lower esophageal sphincter open and unable to close up.

Since the stomach and its contents are highly acidic, the relaxation of the esophageal sphincter may cause the contents to enter the esophagus. This process may result in acid reflux or heartburn.

How long will heartburn in periods last

There are four phases in your menstrual cycle: Menstruation, Follicular, Ovulation, and Luteal.

Your PMS symptoms, including heartburn, may begin from the late Luteal phase. It can last through the early days of the Follicular phase.

This signifies that you may notice gastrointestinal issues like heartburn, bloating, etc., before or during your period. 

It usually includes five days before the beginning of menstruation and four days after the start of bleeding.

But, this period may vary for different women.

A study was conducted on 156 women in which 73% of women had at least one gastrointestinal symptom. The symptoms were noticed in both pre and during menstruation.

How to prevent PMS heartburn

meditation
Meditation

There are some preventive measures that you may use to get some relief from heartburn. It includes the following:

  • Avoid overeating by eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day
  • Avoid exercising immediately after eating
  • Take time to rest
  • Avoid consuming coffee, chocolate, spicy, or fried foods
  • After eating, wait two hours before lying down
  • Wear loose clothes
  • Drink an adequate amount of water
  • Avoid smoking, eating quickly, chewing gum, and consuming carbonated drinks since they cause you to swallow too much air
  • Stress less by trying meditation or other calming activities

Treatment option

As mentioned before, sometimes heartburn may get serious, and you may need treatment. Some over-the-counter (OTC) medications may help in treating heartburn in PMS. 

Here’s a list of FDA-advised OTC medications for heartburn and GERD:

Antacids

Antacids are medicines that neutralize the acid in your stomach to relieve indigestion and heartburn.

You may buy them in two forms: liquids and tablets. 

Here are some Antacids that are commonly given for heartburn:

  • Mylanta
  • Rolaids
  • Tums

Histamine-2 (H2) blockers

Histamine-2 blockers function by reducing the amount of acid produced by the stomach.

They start to work within one to three hours and treat mild heartburn.

Some of the OTC H2 blockers are: 

  • Tagamet HB (Cimetidine)
  • Pepcid Complete or Pepcid AC (Famotidine)
  • Axid AR (Nizatidine)

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

Proton Pump Inhibitors also function by reducing the acid produced by the stomach. But it may take some time to work.

OTC PPIs are only intended for a 14-day course of treatment to have the best results.

Here’s a list of some PPIs:

  • Prevacid 24HR (Lansoprazole)
  • Nexium 24HR (Esomeprazole)
  • Prilosec OTC (Omeprazole magnesium)
  • Zegerid OTC (Omeprazole and Sodium bicarbonate)
Caution:
Consult your doctor before taking any medication, as sometimes they may lead to severe side effects.

Takeaway

Is heartburn a PMS symptom?— a question asked by many women. Menstruating women may feel a burning sensation in their chest or throat but consider it a reason for overeating.

But sometimes, it might be a PMS symptom.

It happens because of the lower esophageal sphincter relaxation due to the female hormones associated with the menstrual cycle.

When the sphincter relaxes, it causes stomach acids to enter the esophagus, resulting in heartburn.

There are some ways in which you can prevent heartburn in your periods. You may eat in smaller portions, wear loose clothes, avoid caffeine, etc. 

Sometimes, heartburn may get severe and need treatment. In that case, you can take some over-the-counter medications to treat heartburn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I get such bad heartburn with my PMS?

PMS heartburn happens because the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes due to the female hormones associated with the menstrual cycle. When the sphincter relaxes, it causes stomach acids to enter the esophagus, resulting in heartburn.

Can PMS cause heartburn and indigestion?

Yes. Premenstrual Syndrome brings many gastrointestinal problems, including heartburn and indigestion. You may experience it before or during your menstrual period. It usually lasts for some days but sometimes extends for a week or more.

Does drinking water help heartburn?

Yes. Drinking adequate amounts of water may help relieve heartburn, a Premenstrual Syndrome symptom. Water can help dilute the stomach acid and make it less irritating to the esophagus. Moreover, water can also aid in flushing stomach acid back into the stomach. 

How do you stop PMS heartburn?

If you want to stop PMS heartburn immediately, you may need the help of medications. You can take FDA-advised over-the-counter drugs for treating heartburn or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), like Antacids, Proton Pump Inhibitors, etc.

Citations:
WowRx uses only high-quality sources while writing our articles. Please read our content information policy to know more about how we keep our content reliable and trustworthy.