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CC BY 4.0 · Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet 2021; 43(12): 940-948
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1740208
Review Article

Analysis of the Role of Female Hormones During Infection by COVID-19

Análise do papel dos hormônios femininos durante a infecção por COVID-19
David Balbino Pascoal 
1   Department of Medicine, Centro Universitário Cesmac, Maceió, AL, Brazil
,
Isabela Macêdo de Araujo 
1   Department of Medicine, Centro Universitário Cesmac, Maceió, AL, Brazil
,
Lorenna Peixoto Lopes 
2   Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, AL, Brazil
3   Department of Medicine, UNIT University Center, Maceió, AL, Brazil
,
Cristiane Monteiro da Cruz 
1   Department of Medicine, Centro Universitário Cesmac, Maceió, AL, Brazil
3   Department of Medicine, UNIT University Center, Maceió, AL, Brazil
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Abstract

Women have metabolic, immunological, and genetic variables that ensure more protection from coronavirus infection. However, the indication of treatment for several pathologies and contraception is determined by hormones that have adverse effects and raise doubts about their use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the present study searches women specificities and the relation between female sexual hormones and COVID-19, and reports the main recommendations in this background. To this end, a review of the literature was conducted in the main databases, auxiliary data sources, and official websites. Therefore, considering the hypercoagulability status of COVID-19, the debate about the use of contraceptives due to the relative risk of thromboembolic effects that they impose arises. However, the current available evidence, as well as the recommendations of main health organs around the world, demonstrate that the use of hormonal contraceptives must be maintained during the pandemic.

Resumo

As mulheres possuem variáveis metabólicas, imunológicas e genéticas que conferem maior proteção à infecção pelo coronavírus. Todavia, a indicação de tratamento para certas patologias e para a contracepção é determinada por hormônios que possuem efeitos adversos e levantam dúvidas quanto ao seu uso durante a pandemia da COVID-19. Desta forma, o presente estudo busca investigar as especificidades da mulher e a relação dos hormônios sexuais femininos com a COVID-19, assim como relatar as principais recomendações neste contexto. Para isso, realizou-se uma revisão da literatura nas principais bases de dados, fontes auxiliares de dados e sites oficiais. Portanto, considerando o estado hipercoagulável da COVID-19, surge o debate quanto à utilização de contraceptivos pelo seu risco relativo de efeitos tromboembólicos. No entanto, as atuais evidências disponíveis, assim como as recomendações dos principais órgãos de saúde do mundo, demonstraram que o uso de contraceptivos hormonais deve ser mantido durante a pandemia.

Keywords

woman - hormones - coronavirus - thrombosis - contraception

Palavras-chave

mulher - hormônios - coronavírus - trombose - contracepção


Publication History

Received: 12 October 2020

Accepted: 31 August 2021

Article published online:
21 December 2021

© 2021. Federação Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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