All articles tagged with #estrogen
In mice, locally produced estrogen in the hippocampus shapes memory and fear after acute stress in both sexes; high estrogen levels impair trauma-related memory, while low estrogen during estrus can be protective, suggesting sex-specific chromatin remodeling that could influence PTSD risk and aging-related memory problems in humans.
A new study links the brain’s estrogen levels at the moment of trauma to PTSD risk: high hippocampal estrogen boosts neural plasticity, enabling more intense, lasting traumatic memories in both sexes, with memory disruption persisting longer in females due to receptor differences; the work suggests future treatments could target estrogen signaling to reduce long-term trauma effects.
An article lists 10 medicines linked to gynecomastia in men, explaining how hormone balance shifts—lower testosterone, higher estrogen, or raised prolactin—can enlarge breast tissue. Drugs highlighted include spironolactone, finasteride, anabolic steroids, antipsychotics, nonsteroidal antiandrogens, diazepam, cimetidine, ketoconazole, and metronidazole. In many cases the condition resolves after stopping the drug, but it can linger and may require treatment or surgery in some men.
Doctors say estrogen replacement can benefit many women by addressing hormonal fluctuations that affect the menstrual cycle, heart, bones, and brain; despite past fears from the Women’s Health Initiative and FDA warnings, updated research and guidance are expanding who should consider HRT, with estrogen levels that can require multiple tests to monitor; it's never too late to start for postmenopausal or younger patients experiencing imbalance.
A 19-year-old from Bolton died from a brain blood clot believed to be caused by estrogen-containing birth control pills; her family says the risk, while rare, is real and they want greater awareness of hormonal contraception risks.
A new preclinical mouse study suggests estrogen heightens gut-pain sensitivity by acting on rare gut-lining L-cells, which increases OLFR78 receptor activity and boosts serotonin release via the PYY pathway, altering nerve signaling to the brain. Removing ovaries lowers estrogen and reduces pain sensitivity, while restoring estrogen brings it back, potentially explaining why IBS is more common and severe in women. The findings hint at potential targets (PYY/OLFR78) for IBS therapies, though translating mouse results to humans requires caution.
The House Democratic Women’s Caucus praised the FDA and HHS Secretary Kennedy Jr. for removing the black-box warning on estrogen-based hormone replacement therapy, saying the change reflects science-based regulation. They urged continued research into safety and effectiveness, increased menopause research funding, better labeling and postmarket oversight, in a letter to Kennedy and FDA Commissioner Makary, with signatures from a broad group of Democratic lawmakers.
Hormone therapy for menopause, recently freed from outdated FDA warnings, can significantly improve skin health by increasing collagen, hydration, and barrier function, while also managing menopausal symptoms; proper treatment choices and skincare routines can optimize benefits and minimize side effects.
A study in Nature Neuroscience reveals that estrogen enhances learning in female rats by increasing dopamine activity in the brain's reward center, with implications for understanding hormonal influences on cognition and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Science and medical guidelines have evolved, leading to a more nuanced view of hormone therapy for menopause. Starting therapy before age 60 or within ten years of menopause can provide relief from symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, and offer benefits for bone and heart health. However, not all women are suitable candidates, and risks vary depending on the type of estrogen used and individual health conditions. Alternatives like non-hormonal medications and lifestyle changes are also available for managing menopausal symptoms.
The FDA has decided to remove the black box warning on hormone replacement therapy for menopause, citing new evidence of its benefits and nuanced risks, which could lead to increased use among women experiencing menopause symptoms.
A review presented at The Menopause Society's annual meeting explains that menopause-related brain fog may be caused by structural brain changes due to declining estrogen levels, including reductions in gray matter and increased white-matter hyperintensities. Lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet, exercise, and hormone therapy, may help manage symptoms, but more research is needed for effective treatments.
A new retrospective study suggests that starting estrogen therapy during perimenopause may be associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer, heart attack, and stroke, but experts caution that the findings are preliminary and do not establish causation. The study highlights the need for more research and careful interpretation, especially as regulatory agencies consider changing warnings on estrogen products.
A 2023 study reveals that a woman's brain undergoes structural changes throughout her menstrual cycle, with estrogen enhancing connectivity during ovulation and progesterone promoting calmness and introspection afterward, highlighting the dynamic nature of female brain biology.
Research from UT Health San Antonio suggests that ketogenic diets may cause harmful cellular changes in male mice but not females, with estrogen providing protective effects, highlighting potential sex-specific responses to the diet.