TLDR Asthma and high testosterone increase Covid-19 severity, while progesterone protects young women.
This study investigated the impact of sex hormones and chronic respiratory diseases on Covid-19 severity and mortality, involving 85 patients with bronchial asthma or lung cancer. It found that males, particularly those with asthma, had a higher death rate (18%), with 70% of deceased males having asthma. Postmenopausal women also had a high death rate (66.7%), while pre-menopausal women had a 100% cure rate, linked to higher progesterone levels (13.55 ng/ml) which were associated with moderate symptoms. Conversely, increased testosterone levels in males and postmenopausal women were linked to more severe infections. Asthma and high testosterone were associated with increased Covid-19 severity and mortality, whereas progesterone appeared protective in young women.
71 citations
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April 2020 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” Genetic differences may affect COVID-19 deaths; anti-androgens could be potential treatment.
81 citations
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May 2007 in “Fertility and Sterility” Testosterone therapy seems safe for postmenopausal women for a few years, but more research is needed for long-term effects.
31 citations
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September 2006 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” Testosterone therapy may slightly improve sexual function in postmenopausal women, but its long-term safety is unknown.
7 citations
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April 2012 in “Clinical investigation” Transdermal testosterone can improve sexual desire in postmenopausal women but lacks long-term safety data and is not FDA-approved for this use.
1 citations
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January 2020 in “Bioscience Reports” Long-term use of finasteride in women can cause hormonal changes, DNA damage, and menstrual issues.
251 citations
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October 2014 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” The guidelines advise against using testosterone and DHEA in women for most conditions due to safety and effectiveness concerns, but suggest considering testosterone for postmenopausal women with low sexual desire.
403 citations
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November 2005 in “Journal of Endocrinology” Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a prohormone important for producing sex steroids and has potential health benefits.
