A study done be Dr B. Jacobson in Boston shows the connection between women and Acid Reflux.

A questionnaire was given to 10,545 women that asked them how often, how severely and how long they had suffered from Acid Reflux or GERD symptoms. They were put into categories according to their Body Mass Index or BMI.

The results :

22% had Acid Reflux symptoms once a week or more. Of all the women who had had symptoms at some time, 55% described them as moderate.

Those with a BMI under 20 were 33% less likely to suffer from Acid Reflux than those with a BMI between 20-22.4.

Women with a BMI of 22.5-24.9 had a 38% higher chance of having Acid Reflux symptoms in comparison with the 20-22.4 BMI group.

Women that have a BMI that is higher that 25 are considered overweight and obese.

Another factor unique to women, pregnancy, also has something to do with Acid Reflux. Pregnant women have increased levels of hormones, which decrease the pressure on the muscle and block reflux. Also there is an increased pressure from the baby in the lower abdomen. due to the hugely expanded uterus. All these conditions during pregnancy tend to increase discomfort. Hence pregnant women are more prone to acid reflux. At the same time, the physical situation makes it very difficult for them when it happens.

Some easy steps can be taken during pregnancy to reduce Acid Reflux. Start with the appropriate diet but keep in mind that it’s how you drink your water that could make a big difference. It is recommended that pregnant women drink eight glasses of water a day. The best way to do this is to drink them between meals, not with the meals themselves. By drinking with the meals, the stomach wall will expand even more and the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) feels even more pressure, forcing it to open. Therefore, it’s recommended that pregnant women drink their water and other fluid between meals.

If you are a woman with Acid Reflux, you could be at risk for Laryngopharyngeal reflux where the acid in the stomach pours into and affects your larynx or voice box. This condition is usually seen in thin, tall women although obese women are certainly at risk, with the onset being at about 57 years of age. A woman can wake up with a gravelly voice or a feeling that they have a lump in their throat. This is from the esophageal muscle trying to hold down the stomach acid and this can lead to voice fatigue.

Those women who suffer from the above symptoms are well advised to consult gastrointestinal practitioners.