Flu levels are rising as the 2015-2016 season moves into full swing, but new research suggests that women may have a bit less to worry about than men, thanks to higher levels of estrogen.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore gathered nasal cells from both male and female donors and exposed cultures to the flu virus, estrogen, bisphenol A (an estrogen compound found in the environment) and selective estrogen receptors which are used for hormone therapy. They found that for BPA, the selective estrogen receptors and estrogen reduced replication of the flu virus in female nasal cells, suggesting that estrogen has protective effects against the flu.
"Because estrogen levels cycle in premenopausal women, it may be difficult to see this protective effect in the general population," Sabra Klein, PhD, lead researcher, said in a statement. "But, premenopausal women on certain kinds of birth control or post-menopausal women on hormone replacement may be better protected during seasonal influenza epidemics. We see clinical potential in the finding that therapeutic estrogens that are used for treating infertility and menopause may also protect against the flu."