Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: KatyB on May 09, 2020, 01:22:58 PM

Title: COVID 19 and menopause
Post by: KatyB on May 09, 2020, 01:22:58 PM
I report any  COVID symptoms regularly on the Zoe/  Kings College London tracker app. I was surprised to be asked questions today about menopause / periods / HRT, and it turns out they are investigating whether there is any link between oestrogen and tendency to contract severe COVID 19. I thought others might like to be aware, information is on link below. Dr Louise Newson is involved.
https://covid.joinzoe.com/post/oestrogen-covid

Title: Re: COVID 19 and menopause
Post by: KaraShannon on May 09, 2020, 02:37:06 PM
Interesting, I will read this later.  I thought women, in general terms, had an easier time of it than men though, so wonder how that works.
Title: Re: COVID 19 and menopause
Post by: Bobidy on May 09, 2020, 03:35:57 PM
Hi all

Here's a link to the webinar discussing a potential link between oestrogen and covid protection, interesting stuff https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IWe3ygSn1go (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IWe3ygSn1go)
Title: Re: COVID 19 and menopause
Post by: shrosphirelass on May 09, 2020, 04:28:34 PM
I heard them talking about it on the radio today. Seems to make sense that increased estrogen has a positive effect. Interesting to see what the research finds.
Title: Re: COVID 19 and menopause
Post by: jaycee on May 09, 2020, 10:17:28 PM
I saw an interview today on TV with Dr Newson, she said being on HRTw beneficial as far as the coronavirus is concerned and help against contracting it
Title: Re: COVID 19 and menopause
Post by: bear on May 09, 2020, 11:53:06 PM
I saw an interview today on TV with Dr Newson, she said being on HRTw beneficial as far as the coronavirus is concerned and help against contracting it

Hi jaycee,

Unfortunately I haven't watched this interview, but I know the studies are in their infancy and no such conclusion can be drawn from the available data so far.

If you watch Prof Tim Spector's video webinar, linked above by Bobidy, you will see that there is just a 'potential link' between oestrogen and protection against Covid-19.

BeaR.
Title: Re: COVID 19 and menopause
Post by: Hurdity on May 10, 2020, 07:55:48 AM
I report any  COVID symptoms regularly on the Zoe/  Kings College London tracker app. I was surprised to be asked questions today about menopause / periods / HRT, and it turns out they are investigating whether there is any link between oestrogen and tendency to contract severe COVID 19. I thought others might like to be aware, information is on link below. Dr Louise Newson is involved.
https://covid.joinzoe.com/post/oestrogen-covid

Hi there. KatyB. Thanks for this. Also heard it reported on the news yesterday and was going to post elsewhere. Might still do so that others might read about it! Several friends have used this app and shared on FB. I didn't join earlier but have now. Bit later in the day for me to join but obvs they want to continue to track people for weeks and months to come.

Haven't watched the youtube link yet!

Hurdity x
Title: Re: COVID 19 and menopause
Post by: jaycee on May 10, 2020, 12:06:23 PM
Thanks BeaR,I have just watched it from the link you sent, very interesting
Title: Re: COVID 19 and menopause
Post by: Foxylady on May 10, 2020, 08:02:04 PM
KatyB thanks for sharing, really interesting. x
Title: Re: COVID 19 and menopause
Post by: Annie0710 on May 11, 2020, 12:00:50 AM
I've been doing the app since day one and got asked those questions.  Men are faring worse in this and so I think they?re thinking that raised oestrogen levels may be a protection x
Title: Re: COVID 19 and menopause
Post by: Kathleen on May 11, 2020, 09:09:11 AM
Hello ladies.

Unfortunately I haven't caught up with the latest science but I wonder if men suffer more because the virus attaches to ACE 2 receptors and these are found in the testes (amongst lots of other places as well of course).

Also, if oestrogen is protective does that mean post menopausal women who are not taking HRT are at greater risk than those using HRT and younger women?  Perhaps oestrogen helps by lowering inflammation in the body?

Obviously I'm no scientist so correct me if I'm wrong but it's an interesting area of study.

Don't forget to be alert ladies.  'Britain Needs Lerts' lol. (sorry about that, couldn't resist it).

Take care everyone.

K.
Title: Re: COVID 19 and menopause
Post by: bear on May 11, 2020, 11:32:47 AM
Hi Kathleen,

You make valid assumptions, and that's exactly what they are expecting to find out, but a lot of data is needed to establish a correlation and that won't necessarily mean cause-effect.
There are many confounding aspects that could also explain the prevalence in men, one that springs to mind is the higher incidence of comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes in men.

Keep calm and be alert 🤪

BeaR.

Title: Re: COVID 19 and menopause
Post by: Katia on May 16, 2020, 09:54:32 AM
There's research that men's immune systems may not respond to it as quickly as women's. In the original SARS back in 2003 in 25% the immune system didn't signal until it was too late and a huge cytokine response occurred. it's looking like there may be similarities with this one.
Title: Re: COVID 19 and menopause
Post by: Katia on May 16, 2020, 09:57:47 AM
Sorry for all these question marks that seem to have appeared in my post. I've no idea why it did that. I had trouble getting it to post
Title: Re: COVID 19 and menopause
Post by: Katejo on May 16, 2020, 10:41:38 AM
I've been doing the app since day one and got asked those questions.  Men are faring worse in this and so I think they?re thinking that raised oestrogen levels may be a protection x
  I have just signed up and it asked whether I was on HRT.
Title: Re: COVID 19 and menopause
Post by: Kathleen on May 19, 2020, 05:59:28 PM
Hello again ladies

As we know our immune systems differ from men's because we need to nurture a baby plus  autoimmune disorders are more common in women. If our immune systems are more sensitive we may have a fast initial  response to the virus but we also need to swiftly down regulate or risk autoimmune disease.  I understand that we become more prone to chronic inflammation as we age which can be another risk factor.

As I have said I am no scientist I'm just repeating what I've read and there is certainly a lot to learn.

Take care everyone.

K.