Female Hormones Like Estrogen May Help Protect Against COVID-19
Since the beginning of the pandemic, scientists have been aware of the disproportionately higher numbers of men and older adults who have developed severe COVID-19 and/or died from the coronavirus, compared to younger individuals – especially pre-menopausal women. Now, a ground breaking new clinical study from the College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, presents evidence that suggests the female reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone may play a role in protecting against COVID-19 symptoms.
That study analyzed existing research to determine why the severity of symptoms, and the death rate from COVID-19 are much higher in men of all ages and in older people, than in pre-menopausal women. They suggest that the reason for this may be that female reproductive hormones play a role in protecting a person from the coronavirus.
Pregnancy Hormones & COVID-19
Hormones that help support and sustain pregnancy – such as progesterone – are up to one hundred times more concentrated during the third trimester of pregnancy.
The researches became interested in the role of female hormones in COVID-19 protection when they observed that many pregnant women with COVID-19 who had no symptoms, suddenly developed symptoms severe enough to require intensive care immediately after giving birth. In other words, the severity of the women’s COVID-19 symptoms coincided with the rapid drop in the hormones estradiol, progesterone, and allopregnanolone that occurred immediately after giving birth.
Similarly, according to date from the Center for Disease Control, among pregnant women who contracted COVID-19 the death toll was only 0.13%. However, the death rate for non-pregnant women with COVID-19 was 2% – which is almost 15 times higher!
In another study entitled Estrogen and COVID-19 symptoms: associations in women from the COVID Symptom Study data from 37 countries also showed that, not only were men were at a higher risk of death of COVID-19, but that post-menopausal women were also at increased risk of developing severe COVID-19. This also supports theory that female hormones offer protective benefits against COVID-19, since women produce far less estrogen and progesterone after menopause.
How Female Hormones May Protect Against COVID 19
The female reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone – along with their metabolite allopregnanolone – are already known to provide immune support in a number of ways. These sex hormones offer anti-inflammatory support, stimulate antibody production, and promote cellular repair (particularly in respiratory epithelial cells). Perhaps more importantly, when it comes to COVID-19, female hormones also inhibit the “ACE2 receptor” – which is the access point for the novel coronavirus to attach and infect an organism.
The research specifically discusses the importance of female reproductive hormones in stimulating the production of antibodies and promoting lung cell repair after a viral infection to fight the ‘cytokine storm’ that was is the eventual cause of death in many COVID-19 patients.
A ‘cytokine storm’ is an overreaction of the body’s immune response, where the body attacks its own cells and tissues rather than just fighting off the virus. And the researched pointed out that progesterone and allopregnanolone may be able to block a cytokine storm by repressing the overreaction of the inflammatory system.
Can Female Hormone Replacement Therapy Protect Against COVID-19?
The authors of the study expressly concluded that hormone replacement therapy against hypoestrogenism in postmenopausal women might be warranted to offer protection from COVID-19 symptoms. They noted that clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of progesterone and/or estradiol to improve COVID-19 symptoms in both men and post-menopausal women are already well underway.
It is already well established that estrogen and progesterone also affect a woman’s libido, bones, heart, mental health, and risk of certain cancers. And studies have proven that 100% natural bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT) not only alleviates many of the symptoms of menopause, but can also decrease a woman’s risk of many physical and mental illnesses and diseases. Additionally, hormone replacement therapy can help prevent bone fractures caused by osteoporosis.
Female Hormone Replacement Therapy
If you are a peri- or post-menopausal woman, it is important to discuss the possibility of low estrogen or progesterone with your gynecologist or primary care provider. A simple blood test can determine if you are suffering from a female hormone deficiency that may be responsible for a lack of energy, weight gain, changes in mood, decreased sex drive, osteoporosis and more.
And the immunity benefits of hormone replacement may be one more very good reason to also consider hormone therapy as soon as possible.
The SottoPelle® hormone replacement method offer several advantages, including NO daily pills, NO painful weekly shots, and NO messy creams. Additionally, SottoPelle® Method estrogen and progesterone pellet therapy utilizes bioidentical hormones that are safer, more effective, and more natural than lab-created synthetics. Because bioidentical hormones are identical to the body’s own hormones, they offer more effective results, with fewer side-effects and risks. Talk to your physician about SottoPelle® Method testosterone replacement today! You can also find a physician in your area who is highly trained in hormone replacement using our Physician Finder HERE.
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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as general information only and is not intended to be used as medical advice. While the benefits of hormone replacement are well documented through clinical research, we are not representing that hormone therapy is a “cure” for any disease. Only your treating physician can determine if hormone replacement may be a beneficial part of your healthcare regimen, based on your age, overall health, risk factors, and lifestyle.
Journal reference: Pinna, G. (2020) Sex and COVID-19: A Protective Role for Reproductive Steroids. Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism. doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2020.11.004.
