Low oestrogen may increase coronavirus risk
UK preprint research shows postmenopausal women are more likely to develop severe disease than other women
Postmenopausal women with lower levels of oestrogen appear to be at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19, research suggests.
The study, led by a team at King’s College London, UK, found high levels of oestrogen may have a protective effect against the virus.
Using data from the COVID Symptom Study App, researchers examined the rate of predicted infection among postmenopausal women, premenopausal women using the combined oral contraceptive pill and postmenopausal women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
More than 500,000 women were included in the study that took place between 7 May and 15 June 2020.
