Researchers at the University of Southampton in England explored how the female hormone estrogen might influence outcomes for people with COVID-19. Their findings were discussed in a medical magazine, highlighting ongoing questions about gender differences in the disease.
Historically, data have shown that men tend to experience more severe illness from COVID-19 and face a higher risk of death. Scientists have repeatedly noted that hormones could play a role in these disparities, with higher estrogen levels in younger women often linked to fewer complications during infection.
In the analysis, investigators examined health records for nearly 2 million women over 18, among whom 5,451 contracted COVID-19. They observed that the risk of death was about 22 percent lower for those who were using estrogen-containing hormone replacement therapy or who were taking oral contraceptives at the time they fell ill. This association adds weight to the idea that estrogen might offer some protective effect against severe disease.
The authors emphasize that while the data are encouraging, they do not establish a definitive cause-and-effect relationship. The study prompts further investigation into the specific estrogen levels or therapies that could confer the greatest protection, as well as whether similar benefits could be seen in men or through different hormonal treatments.
Experts note that many factors influence COVID-19 risk and outcomes, including age, comorbidities, vaccination status, and access to timely care. The Southampton research contributes to a broader conversation about how hormonal biology intersects with immune response and disease severity. It also raises practical questions about how such insights might guide treatment decisions or public health recommendations in the future.
Until more robust clinical trials clarify these relationships, clinicians urge caution in interpreting observational results. They stress that hormone therapies carry risks and should not be used outside approved medical guidance. Still, the study opens avenues for more targeted research into whether estrogen-related strategies could complement existing therapies for reducing mortality and serious illness from COVID-19. [Source: University of Southampton study, field notes and comments from the research team].