Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Sparkles74 on October 20, 2025, 03:20:35 PM
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Hi
I started HRT patch coming up 2 mths ago. A few days after starting I got this awful pain in my upper tummy like reflux. The pains have not subsided at all, radiates to my upper back.
Is this a common side effect?
Not sure if I should come off
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Hi Sparkles74,
Sorry to hear you are suffering.
I had bad acid reflux when I was on HRT including the upper back pain you describe, usually during the night. It pretty much disappeared when I stopped HRT, however I am now careful about what and when I eat, especially in the evening. Personally I think acid reflux and gastro issues are yet another set of menopause symptoms which are caused by fluctuating hormones, so I wouldn't just put it down to HRT. But for me it was definitely worse when on HRT.
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Hi Sparkles 74. Sorry you are experiencing this. I would say get this checked out by your GP. It's more unusual to get gastro problems from transdermal hrt and your symptoms started really quickly after putting on your first patch. Your symptoms could relate to gall bladder problems especially the radiating to the back. What have you tried to ease the pain?
I hope you are soon feeling better. Two months is a long time to be in pain. Please let us know how you get on.
Taz x :welcomemm:
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Its all to do with the ageing process, both men and women suffer this so not always a menopause symptom.
Your GP will prescribe a PPI which is the first place I would start from before giving up on HRT.
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Sparkles74,
There is another current thread on this channel "Reflux increased on HRT" which you may find interesting.
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Here's the link for anyone else interested, the question does come up quite often on the forum
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,73428.0.html