Nursing my 9 month old and have had GERD since pregnancy, could it be hormone related?

[Athora80]

I developed GERD(acid reflux) somewhere in my 2nd trimester of pregnancy last year. 9 months postpartum, still breastfeeding and I STILL have reflux. It got to the point where it's caused me swallowing difficulties and I now have gastritis and esophagitis. I just recently got my period back this month and was wondering if maybe my GERD has something to do with my hormones being out of whack since my pregnancy. I was wondering if it was the hormones from breastfeeding perhaps? Either way I do not plan on stopping anytime soon. I refuse to take those scary prescription meds the docs want to shove down your throat as well. Anyone have any insight on this or have a similiar experience? I really hope it's just my body adjusting and it will go back to normal soon!

[subtlycrunchy]

GERD is just horrible. The root cause can be so many things... stress, low stomach acid, hormones... Found this:

"There is also a theory that the changes in estrogen and progesterone (along with other hormones) during pregnancy allow the LES to relax more than it generally would. Whether or not this is the precise mechanism, a hormonal component to GERD symptoms in women has been suggested." -- http://www.womentowomen.com/digestionandgihealth/acidreflux.aspx

Good luck!