Earlier studies showed that women might have faster and greater immune responses to viral infections, as observed in SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV outbreaks. Recent observational data suggest that estrogen may have a protective effect on the severity of COVID-19.
Researchers investigated the association between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the likelihood of death in women due to the deadly infection.
Women With Higher Estrogen Levels Less Likely to Suffer Severe COVID-19
COVID-19 infection does not discriminate between men and women. But interestingly, the former tend to experience the more severe type and has higher rates of hospitalization and death than the latter.
Previous studies also showed that men are 1.7 times more likely to die from COVID-19 while younger women with higher estrogen levels are less likely to experience severe COVID-19, News Medical Life Sciences reported.
A study titled "Mortality in COVID-19 Among Women on Hormone Replacement Therapy: A Retrospective Cohort Study," published in Family Practice noted the greater immune response of women to viral infection and investigated its link to HRT or combined oral contraceptive pill (COCCP).
The reason for male and female differences is uncertain, but limited observational data suggest that estrogen could reduce the severity of COVID-19. Researchers used the Oxford Royal College of General Practitioners Research and Surveillance Center data and found that HRT was associated with a 22% reduction in COVID-19 mortality.
On the other hand, Contagion Live reported that severe COVID-19 is higher among women who are older, underweight, with hypertension, on immunosuppressants, and come from larger households. More so, women with asthma but on HRT have a 58% lower risk of COVID-19 mortality.
That means estrogen may contribute a protective effect against the severe type of the deadly infection, which explains why fewer women than men are hospitalized or admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and die due to COVID-19 during the pandemic.
ALSO READ : COVID-19 Death in Older Women; Estrogen Levels, Hormone Replacement Therapy Linked to Severity of the Virus
Patients Advise to Continue HRT With Estrogen If Diagnosed With COVID-19
The researchers' team noted that the findings are strong evidence for women prescribed HRT to stay on their medication even when diagnosed with COVID-19, CIDRAP reported. Also, the results showed that estrogen products need further investigation as a possible treatment for COVID-19.
They pointed out that the study participants were all unvaccinated as it was conducted before vaccines were available, noting that further research should continue to investigate estrogen levels and how it is related to COVID-19 severity.
"This study supports the theory that estrogen may offer some protection against severe COVID-19," study author Christopher Wilcox, Ph.D. said in a press release via EurekAlert! "We hope that this study can provide reassurance to patients and clinicians that there is no indication to stop hormone replacement therapy because of the pandemic."
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