COVID-19 has affected many aspects of life. To date, the cause of the virus is unknown and the effects of the virus are still to be seen. Recently, it has been reported that sex hormones can differentiate its course.
Table of contents:
Sex hormones
Sex hormones, known as steroids, are secreted by the female and male gonads, i.e. the ovaries and testes. The pituitary gland, hypothalamus and adrenal glands are involved in the control of hormone secretion. The female sex hormones are oestrogen, progesterone, prolactin and androgens. In addition, gonadotropic hormones such as FSH ( folliculotropin) and LH (lutropin) play an important role in the female body. Female sex hormones play a role in sexual maturation, regulation of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, metabolism, libido and much more. In the case of male sex hormones, testosterone plays a key role, affecting not only fertility, but readiness to compete, muscularity, timbre of voice, spermatogenesis and prostate formation.
Sex hormones and COVID
Researchers from the University of Illinois indicate that levels of female sex hormones may influence the course of coronavirus infection. The relationship between sex hormone levels and the course of coronavirus infection has been studied for several months. Interestingly, researchers from the University of Mersin and Mersin City Education and Research Hospital observed that men whose testosterone levels oscillated below normal were significantly more likely to end up in the intensive care unit than men who did not have abnormal levels of the hormone.
Hormones versus coronavirus, photo: panthermedia
Researchers from the Univeristy of Illinois indicate that female sex hormones (oestrogen, prgoesterone) may have significant anti-inflammatory effects during coronavirus infection. All indications are that they may nullify the overly intense immune system response and the notorious cytokine storm at the beginning of the pandemic. Also relevant is the fact that female sex hormones affect antibody production, and this may influence the slightly milder course of the infection in women than in men. It is worth noting that the researchers' work has been confirmed, for example, by the course of the infection in pregnant women, in whom the infection is less invasive and relatively milder compared to post-menopausal women, in whom, for natural reasons, sex hormone levels are much lower.
As the virology expert pointed out in an interview with the Polish Press Agency, men are more susceptible and at risk of mortality from acute infection, while women may have longer-term symptoms. Premenopausal women are significantly less likely to experience acute coronavirus infection. Oestrogens have an anti-inflammatory effect, influencing the dilatation of the arterial walls and improving epithelial function. On the other hand, they may contribute to the long-term symptoms known as long-COVID and post-COVID
Research into the link between the course of coronavirus infection and sex hormone levels is still ongoing. Perhaps, on the basis of these, it may be possible to additionally develop a hormone-dependent therapy to combat coronavirus?
