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Hormone Therapy in the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review
Sung Wook Choi1, Juhee Kim1, Jae Hoon Lee2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
This review examines female hormone therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting insufficient evidence for individualized gynecological care, especially for older women. It synthesizes current research to guide clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Endocrinology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected global health, including reproductive health.
- COVID-19's systemic impact necessitates careful consideration in patient management, particularly for vulnerable populations like those over 50.
- Existing evidence on hormone therapy in gynecology during the pandemic is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and summarize current research on female hormone therapy in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To provide a reference for clinical application of hormone therapy in gynecology during the pandemic.
- To address the gap in high-quality evidence for individualized patient management.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing studies on COVID-19 and female hormone therapy.
- Analysis of clinical data and research findings related to gynecological care during the pandemic.
- Synthesis of evidence to assess the benefits and risks of hormone therapy.
Main Results:
- The pandemic has raised concerns about hormone therapy's safety and efficacy.
- Evidence for specific recommendations on hormone therapy in gynecology remains insufficient.
- Older women with COVID-19 require special attention regarding hormone therapy.
Conclusions:
- Further high-quality research is needed to establish evidence-based guidelines for female hormone therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Individualized management strategies are crucial for gynecological patients on hormone therapy.
- This review serves as a foundational resource for clinicians navigating this complex area.
Abstract:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the medical, social, and reproductive health of millions of people since its outbreak. The causative virus transmits, reproduces, and manifests through the respiratory tract. COVID-19 can invade any system of the body, including the cardiovascular and endocrine systems, through a secondary immune response. In particular, because the fatality rate is high in those over the age of 50 years, special attention is required during the medical care of this population. However, considering the benefit of therapy and the risk of COVID-19, high-quality evidence regarding individualized management in relation to hormone therapy is still insufficient in the field of gynecology. Furthermore, this review aims to serve as a reference for clinical application by analyzing and summarizing the results of studies reported to date regarding female hormone therapy in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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