Impact of progesterone on the gastrointestinal tract: a comprehensive literature review

Abstract

Women are more prone to gastrointestinal symptoms than men. A comprehensive literature search was performed to assess the impact of sex steroid hormone, especially progesterone, on the (healthy and diseased) gastrointestinal tract. Overall, 37 articles were identified. Based on these we conclude that progesterone has a dose-dependent and sex-dependent effect on gastric emptying (especially in mammals), slows down gastrointestinal motility, reduces the gallbladder’s response to contractile stimulants, may support gastroesophageal reflux by reducing the esophageal sphincter pressure, may protect from Helicobacter pylori infection gastrointestinal sequelae (especially in mammals) and does not affect inflammatory bowel disease-specific symptoms. However, for several gastrointestinal symptoms and diseases no studies have yet been performed addressing the impact of sex hormone steroids.

摘要

女性比男性更容易出现胃肠道症状。我们进行了全面的文献检索, 以评估性激素, 尤其是黄体酮对（健康和患病）胃肠道的影响。最终纳入了 37 篇文献。基于这些文献, 我们得出结论, 黄体酮对胃排空具有剂量依赖和性别依赖的影响（特别是在哺乳动物中）, 可减慢胃肠运动, 减弱胆囊对收缩兴奋剂的反应, 可通过降低食管括约肌压力加重胃食管反流, 保护幽门螺杆菌感染后的胃肠道, 并避免发生并发症（尤其是哺乳动物）, 且不会产生特异性肠炎的症状。然而, 胃肠道症状和疾病对性激素的影响尚无进一步的研究。

Keywords:

• Micronized progesterone
• estrogens
• gastrointestinal motility
• gallbladder motility
• gastroesophageal reflux
• gastrointestinal ulcers
• inflammatory bowel disease
• menopause

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for the support of DR. KADE/BESINS Pharma GmbH helping with ordering the identified publications.

Potential conflict of interest

P. Stute has been part of a German-speaking expert board funded by DR. KADE/BESINS Pharma GmbH. A. Coquoz and D. Regli do not have any conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Source of funding

The publication was not funded.