Started HRT and now bloating and tightness after I eat

[Carrieango]

Hi All,
I recently started HRT - Evorel Sequi patches ( two weeks ago ) but noticed a week or so ago that as soon as I start to eat my main meals I feel bloated / tightness in my chest - it does fade at night and am ok in the morning until I eat lunch again. It is most uncomfortable but I really don’t want to stop my HRT. Has anyone else suffered similar tightness / bloating after eating and if so for how many weeks did it last . I really hope it settles soon. Thanks

Did you ask for patches or did your GP offer only them?

The issue with patches is they come in a dose you can't adjust unlike gel.

It sounds as if you have acid reflux. There is some evidence that estrogen can have an impact on AR https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/hormone-therapy-linked-to-higher-risks-of-gerd

It's to do with the relaxation of the sphincter so food/acid regurgitates more.

Female hormones are believed to relax the muscles that control the lower esophageal sphincter (the valve between the bottom of the esophagus and top of the stomach), allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus.

You could ask to change to a lower dose patch for a while- there is a 25mcgs one- or gel where you can start with a lower dose.