Is There a Link Between Higher Oestrogen and Less COVID-19 Deaths? | Affinity Health
Affinity Health is a leading provider of affordable medical insurance and high-quality healthcare. Here are their views on the role oestrogen may play in the severity of COVID-19.
Sweden’s University Hospital of Ume studied the effect of oestrogen and COVID-19. The 2020 study shows that more oestrogen may protect against COVID-19 mortality. If proven clinically, this study may aid the development of hormone-based prevention.
What is the Link Between Oestrogen and COVID-19 Deaths?
Oestrogen is a female reproductive hormone. It is essential for the following female reproductive processes:
- Puberty
- Menstruation
- Pregnancy
- Bone strength
- Cholesterol levels
- Brain, heart, and skin health
Oestrogen levels may change and vary up and down. This fluctuation would depend on menstrual cycles and life stages. Oestrogen levels are highest in the middle of the menstrual cycle. They will then proceed to decrease during the menstrual cycle. But throughout menopause, oestrogen levels begin to decline.
The relationship between increased oestrogen levels and decreased COVID-19 deaths heightens scientific interest. A new study indicates how postmenopausal women with oestrogen had a lower risk of dying from COVID-19.
“This is an intriguing outcome. We need more clinical investigation,” says the CEO of Affinity Health, Murray Hewlett. “For instance, early COVID-19 therapy research confirms oestrogen as a candidate therapeutic drug.”
According to a prior study, females have a decreased chance of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, the researchers discovered that older females who had been on hormone therapy had a lower risk of infection.
These and other observations have prompted further scientific probing. There are speculations that oestrogen may have a role in future therapy possibilities.
Health Research Shows Promise
National research from Swedish institutions showed the following results:
- The researchers gathered data between February 4 and September 14, 2020.
- The data came from 49 853 women diagnosed with COVID-19 throughout this period.
- Of those, 16 693 were between the ages of 50 and 80.
- The researchers examined a group of 14 685 women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 before.
- Over 2 500 were on hormone replacement therapy to boost oestrogen levels.
- The remaining 11 923 women received no hormone therapy and served as a control group.
- Women who received oestrogen had a 53% lower risk of dying from COVID-19 infection than those who did not.
In the initial analysis, those on oestrogen blockers had a two-fold increased risk of dying from COVID-19. But the team determined that this difference was not statistically significant. Researchers did not include data on hormone replacement treatment or oestrogen blockers. But they believe that boosting oestrogen levels may help lessen COVID-19 severity in postmenopausal women.
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