Androgens in SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus Infections

    December 2021 in “Physiological Research
    L Stárka, Michaela Duskova
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    TLDR Men, particularly those with hair loss, are more likely to get the virus, and those with prostate cancer may have milder symptoms. Testosterone's role in the disease is unclear, and the virus doesn't seem to harm male fertility. Women with PCOS might be at higher risk. More research is needed.
    The study "Androgens in SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus Infections" found that men, especially those with androgenic alopecia, are up to two times more likely to contract the virus than women. Men undergoing androgen deprivation for prostate cancer tend to experience milder virus courses. The study suggests that both high and low androgen levels can influence the progression of the virus, acting as a "double-edged sword". It also mentions that women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) might have an increased risk of infection, but this is contradicted by other studies. The study concludes that the role of testosterone in the disease course is uncertain, and there's no evidence that the virus can negatively impact male fertility. Further research is needed to understand these relationships.
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