ACG: Hormone Therapy Tied to Higher Risk for New Irritable Bowel Syndrome
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, Oct. 31, 2024 -- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with an increased risk for developing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in postmenopausal women, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology, held from Oct. 25 to 30 in Philadelphia.
Jacqueline Khalil, D.O., from Case Western Reserve University in Beachwood, Ohio, and colleagues investigated the effects of HRT on IBS and its related symptoms, medication use, and diagnostic testing in postmenopausal women. The analysis included 46,627 postmenopausal women (50 years and older) with and without a prescription for HRT (estrogen and progesterone) propensity matched (1:1) for age, race, ethnicity, ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease, and celiac disease.
The researchers found that among women prescribed HRT, 992 developed IBS at least 30 days after being prescribed HRT versus 581 not prescribed HRT (odds ratio [OR], 1.75). Over five years, these associations persisted in a sensitivity analysis (OR, 1.88). At least 30 days after being prescribed HRT, 235 postmenopausal women had a new encounter diagnosis ICD code of IBS with diarrhea (OR, 1.44), 188 with IBS with constipation (OR, 2.27), and 148 with mixed IBS (OR, 1.63) compared with those not on HRT. There were increased gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal distention (OR, 1.44), associated with HRT. Diagnostic procedures such as colonoscopy (OR, 2.08) and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (OR, 1.21) were more frequently performed in women taking HRT.
"These findings emphasize the importance of considering the potential consequences of HRT in postmenopausal women, particularly regarding IBS," the authors write.
One author disclosed ties to Allurion, Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, and Vibrant.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted October 2024
Read this next
Earlier Natural Menopause Risk Increased for Women in Socially Vulnerable Neighborhoods
THURSDAY, May 29, 2025 -- Women residing in U.S. neighborhoods with high social vulnerability have a higher risk for earlier natural menopause, according to a study published...
High Midlife Cortisol Tied to Later Risk for Alzheimer Disease in Postmenopausal Women
THURSDAY, May 29, 2025 -- Postmenopausal women with high midlife cortisol have an increased risk for Alzheimer disease (AD), according to a study published online April 24...
Air Pollution May Worsen Bone Health in Postmenopausal Women
FRIDAY, May 16, 2025 -- Exposure to air pollution may worsen bone loss in postmenopausal women, according to a study published online April 24 in the Journal of Bone and...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.