The severe acute respiratory syndrome due to coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and the climacteric woman.

ABSTRACT

The severe acute respiratory syndrome due to coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has affected millions of individuals worldwide, causing high mortality rates and severe physical sequelae, with a negative impact on society, economy, health care, lifestyle and personal relationships. Studies have confirmed this infection has sex and age differences in terms of disease severity and immune response, with a particular relationship with the anti-Müllerian hormone, a marker of aging, and estradiol, a marker of ovarian function. Postmenopausal women seem to present a more severe infection as compared to premenopausal ones. Estradiol protects the vascular system, mediating with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, whereas testosterone enhances the levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme and the transmembrane protease serine-type 2, thus delaying viral clearance in men as compared to women. This new infection will stay among us, transforming our social, economic and daily lifestyle, and hence medical and health care as well as the use of menopause hormone therapy will need redefining, considering both preventive and curative perspectives.