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Mayo Clinic news briefs

A Mayo Clinic study finds an association between estrogen status and reduced coronary calcium and plaque area, suggesting a potential benefit against heart disease. Estrogen may modulate the calcium content of atherosclerotic plaques, slowing progression of atherosclerosis in women.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of Endocrinology and Metabolism·DateMar 13, 2002

Progestin in oral contraceptives associated with lower risk of ovarian cancer

A new study analyzing oral contraceptive use among women with epithelial ovarian cancer found a significant association between progestin levels and reduced risk. Women using low-progestin/high-estrogen contraceptives were more likely to develop ovarian cancer compared to those using high-progestin/high-estrogen contraceptives.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJan 1, 2002

Estrogen holds promise as preventive therapy for cardiovascular disease

A randomized controlled trial found that unopposed estrogen therapy reduced atherosclerosis progression by .0017 millimeters per year in postmenopausal women. The study also showed that cholesterol-lowering drugs had a similar effect when combined with estrogen, suggesting potential benefits for cardiovascular health in women at risk.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateDec 3, 2001

Newly found estrogen role in males might lead to contraceptive for men

Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered that estrogen regulates fluid reabsorption in the male reproductive tract by triggering a protein involved in sodium transport. This finding suggests that blocking estrogen receptors could provide a new target for developing effective contraceptives for men.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 13, 2001

A fish named Wayne-Wanda?

Low levels of estrogen hormones in water may be responsible for the feminization of wild fish, according to a recent study. Researchers found that very low concentrations of estrogenic compounds released from sewage treatment plants were causing intersex and altered sex ratios in aquarium fish.

Estrogen doesn’t prevent second strokes: protective effects of hormone replacement therapy challenged

A new randomized, controlled clinical trial found no significant difference in the incidence of stroke or death among postmenopausal women who received estrogen therapy. The study suggests that estrogen should not be prescribed for preventing a second stroke or death in these patients.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 24, 2001

Low dose estrogen improves bone health

A low dose of estrogen was as effective as a higher dose in reducing bone turnover and preventing osteoporosis in older women. The study found that women taking 0.25 mg estradiol had no more side effects than those taking a placebo, improving bone health with fewer risks.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Aging·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateDec 3, 2000

The jury's still out on soy

The Mayo Clinic report concludes that the available data are insufficient to draw definitive conclusions about the use of soy isoflavones as an alternative to estrogen for hormone replacement in postmenopausal women. Randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials are necessary to address the potential benefits and risks of isoflavone use.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateNov 15, 2000

Loss of estrogen affects different cognitive abilities, says new study, and may have implications for hormonal replacement therapies in humans

A new study on rhesus monkeys found that those without functioning ovaries performed better on spatial memory tasks than monkeys with intact ovaries. This suggests that the lack of estrogen may protect against age-related decline in certain aspects of spatial memory.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalBehavioral Neuroscience·DateJun 17, 2000