This is a problem i have since i took Propecia.
I just found out that progesterone can cause this problem. Excess progesterone favors the develpment of Hiatus Hernia, which is an herniation of the upper part of the stomach into the thorax through a weakness in the diafragm. This allows the acid from the stomach to go to the esophagus causing pain and constant burning.
Before Propecia, I never had one single episode of acid reflux disease. I probably was susceptable anatomically to it, but i believe i would never develop it, had not taken Propecia. Women in my family have GERD, men don’t. After Finasteride i started having very strong GERD and was diagnosed with Hiatus Hernia (4th dregree, which is severe, i was told the maximum level is 5). I never connected GERD and Propecia. But since Propecia may increase your progesterone leves (it is not being converted to allopregnanolone by 5 alpha reductase), i want to register here that i believe propecia caused this problem in my case (I tested progesterone only once and it showed above range). The connection between progesterone and GERD is well known as some women develop it only when pregnant.
“Some medications contribute to acid reflux, according to Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist Michael Picco. He cites several examples, including calcium channel blockers, codeine, progesterone and diazepam”
Read more: livestrong.com/article/71748-medicine-cause-acid-reflux/#ixzz177PIogDB
Even though i posted about my recovery on another topic, my GERD is controlled but not cured. I need to take care of what i eat and not to eat right before bedtime, or i ll have it. It is not causing me problems now but i think we need to register everything propecia may cause as a cascade effect.