Chronic and acute effects of oestrogens on vascular contractility

In addition to their role as sex hormones, it has been known for many years that oestrogens have protective effects on the vasculature. These have been implicated in the reduced incidence of cardiovascular disorders in premenopausal women and in post-menopausal women receiving oestrogen replacement therapy. This protection has been found to be due, in part at least, to direct effects of oestrogens on blood vessels. This review will summarize the available literature regarding oestrogenic effects on vascular contractility. Two major influences of oestrogens will be discussed; first the genomic effects induced by chronic administration of steroid hormones, and second, the rapid effects on vascular smooth muscle by non-genomic, and as yet not fully identified, mechanisms. In so doing, the diversity of oestrogenic actions on vascular contractility will be highlighted and the protective role of these agents against adverse cardiovascular events discussed.