Women have been found to be at higher risk of developing long covid than men, with a study published by RECOVER, a long covid research initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health, revealing that female participants had a 31% higher risk of developing long covid after an infection with the coronavirus.
The study, which analyzed over 12,000 adults, found that women between the ages of 40 and 54 who were not yet menopausal were at the highest risk, being 45% more likely to develop long covid than men of the same age group. However, among women who had already experienced menopause or those under the age of 39, there was no significant difference in long-covid risk compared to men.
Researchers believe that hormonal factors, particularly estrogen and progesterone levels, may play a role in the increased risk of long covid in women. Estrogen is thought to be associated with chronic, longer-term immune responses, which could help explain why women are more likely to develop autoimmune diseases. The study also found that women ages 55 and older had a 34% higher risk of developing long covid than men.
The researchers suggest that hormones may not completely explain the increased risk in some women, but rather it is a combined effect of age, pregnancy, and menopause. Other factors such as preexisting differences between men and women in their rate of having autoimmune diseases and comorbidities could also be playing a role.
The study’s findings have implications for the prevention and treatment of long covid in men and women, with experts suggesting that hormone-replacement treatments may be beneficial for patients. Additionally, the research highlights the importance of considering hormonal factors when understanding the disease, as immune system responses between men and women can differ significantly.
Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between hormones and long covid, and its findings offer a new perspective on the disease that could help inform treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/women-higher-risk-long-covid-154246736.html