The new term GSM describes the complex genital, sexual, and urinary symptoms women experience after menopause. By standardizing a physical examination tool, healthcare providers can diagnose and treat these conditions more accurately and effectively.
Researchers are investigating whether brain estrogens enhance learning and memory in young birds and adults, with the goal of developing targeted treatments for cognitive disorders. Studies will use drugs to manipulate estrogen levels and electrophysiology to assess memory consolidation.
Researchers at UCI have discovered a new role for estrogen receptors on the surface of cells, which collaborate with nuclear receptors to regulate organ development and function. The study has significant implications for understanding estrogen's role in diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and bone disease.
Researchers validated microbial translocation hypothesis in SIV-infected pigtail macaques, finding that sevelamer treatment reduced systemic LPS and activated peripheral CD4+ T cells. Sevelamer also lowered viral titers and coagulation biomarkers, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for HIV.
Researchers found sildenafil's benefits for female mice modeling human heart failure varied with estrogen levels, but were generally ineffective. In contrast, male mice showed improved cardiac health due to sildenafil's effects on cGMP pathways independent of estrogen.
A clinical study of 158 patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) found that combining Copaxone with estriol improved symptom reduction by 12 months, but the effect waned over time. The results suggest a potential benefit to supplementing Copaxone therapy with estrogen.
A new study from the Women's Health Initiative found no link between low vitamin D levels and menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances. The study analyzed data from 530 women participating in the calcium and vitamin D WHI trial.
A recent study found that female hormone therapy, particularly estrogen plus progesterone, significantly improved survival among women with non-small cell lung cancer. The combination of hormone therapy and long-term use showed the most notable improvements in median survival time.
Developing heart valves in zebrafish embryos may be vulnerable to environmental endocrine disruptors, which can mimic estrogen and lead to abnormalities. The study uses genetically modified zebrafish to detect and identify the mechanisms of action of these chemicals.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that estrogen increases proliferation of blood-forming stem cells in females, leading to increased red blood cell production. This discovery raises possibilities for treating blood cancers and reducing chemotherapy toxicity by considering estrogen levels.
A new study by the University of British Columbia finds that progesterone poses little or no cardiovascular risk for post-menopausal women experiencing hot flashes and night sweats. The treatment has been shown to be effective in alleviating symptoms without increasing the risk of heart disease.
A study from the University of Illinois Chicago found that fetal exposure to BPA increases the risk for prostate cancer later in life. Human prostate tissue is susceptible to BPA, which mimics estrogen and has been linked to several cancers.
Researchers identified three types of mutations in the estrogen receptor gene ESR1 that cause resistance to hormone therapy, including gene amplification, point mutation, and translocation. These findings provide insights into how to develop targeted treatments for drug-resistant breast cancer.
A new Stanford University School of Medicine study found that decreased estrogen levels after menopause are largely unrelated to changes in cognitive ability and mood. However, the researchers discovered a possible link between levels of another hormone — progesterone — and cognition among younger postmenopausal women.
An observational study found that estradiol was associated with less risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary emboli compared to conjugated equine estrogens. Women prescribed estradiol had fewer adverse vascular events than those prescribed Premarin, a patented drug.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine compared the cardiovascular safety of conjugated equine estrogens (CEEs) and oral estradiol. The research found a greater risk of venous thrombosis associated with CEEs, but no increased risk of heart attack or ischemic stroke.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers finds that insufficient estrogen is partly responsible for some age-related symptoms in men. Testosterone levels regulate lean body mass, muscle size and strength, while estrogen regulates fat accumulation.
Researchers used X-ray crystallography to visualize how brominated flame retardants bind to proteins like estrogens, potentially disrupting the body's natural hormones. The study sheds light on the effects of flame retardants on human health and provides insights for developing safer alternatives.
A Yale University study reveals that nearly 50,000 unnecessary deaths among women aged 50-69 with hysterectomies could have been avoided if they used estrogen-only therapy instead of combined hormone therapy. The decline in estrogen usage was linked to the 2002 WHI study's findings on women with a uterus, but not those without one.
Researchers identified a young woman with an estrogen receptor-α mutation that blocks the hormone's action, resulting in high estrogen levels and reproductive issues. The study found that the woman had significantly elevated estrogen levels compared to normal ranges, despite having no effect from estrogen.
Researchers at University at Buffalo found that estrogen protects female stress resilience, but damages male working memory. The study, published in Molecular Psychiatry, suggests that estrogen hormone produced in the brain may be responsible for this difference.
A new study by University of Illinois Chicago researcher Gail Prins found that early exposure to BPA in the developing prostate increases the risk of later prostate cancer. Prostate stem cells become sensitized to estrogen through BPA exposure, making them more susceptible to cancer development.
A new study finds that estrogen replacement therapy decreases anxiety symptoms in girls with anorexia nervosa, which may help prevent relapse. The treatment also appears to prevent worsening attitudes toward body image and food.
A global survey found that treatment with vaginal estrogen improved sex lives for postmenopausal women, reducing pain and increasing satisfaction. The study also showed a positive impact on self-esteem and relationships.
Researchers at UC Irvine have discovered a new mechanism by which estrogen suppresses lipid synthesis in the liver, revealing potential new approaches for treating certain liver diseases. The study found that estrogen acts on cell membrane-based receptors to inhibit lipid synthesis, changing long-held views in the field.
Researchers found that estrogen and interleukin-6 collude to cause immune cell misconduct and fuel autoimmune liver damage. Female mice with intact ovaries developed worse liver damage than those without ovaries, suggesting a key role for estrogen in the condition.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have found two hormonal signals that predict sexual motivation in young women. Estrogen levels surge two days before the increase in sexual desire, while progesterone levels drop during the luteal phase, leading to a decrease in sexual motivation.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that estrogen plus progestin use is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer incidence. However, survival after diagnosis did not differ between users and non-users, suggesting higher mortality rates among hormone therapy users.
A study by University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston researchers found that combining low doses of multiple xenoestrogens can have a dramatically greater effect on hormone signaling than any one compound alone. The combination of bisphenol A, bisphenol S and nonylphenol was found to gang up on estradiol and thwart its response.
Women who undergo surgical menopause experience a two-fold increase in cognitive decline and dementia due to premature estrogen loss. Research suggests that this leads to increased sensitivity to stressors and abnormal protein production, which can contribute to Alzheimer's disease. Follow-up studies are needed to confirm the findings.
Research reveals that estrogen deficiency after menopause leads to increased fat storage in the abdomen, associated with a higher risk of health issues. Post-menopausal women experience changes in cellular processes, leading to more fat being stored overall, which can be a target for future medical advances.
Researchers from Scripps Research Institute have identified a class of compounds that can modify cell signaling activity, including anti-inflammatory effects, which could lead to innovative treatments for breast cancer. The study focuses on compounds interacting with the estrogen receptor-α, a key target in breast cancer treatment.
Researchers found that estrogen alone significantly reduced joint pain in women who had undergone a hysterectomy, with 74% of those taking estrogen experiencing no pain after three years compared to 80% of those taking a placebo. The Women's Health Initiative trial showed modest but significant differences between the two groups.
Post-menopausal women who received estrogen-only medication reported significantly lower joint pain frequencies compared to those receiving a placebo. The study found modest but sustained relief from joint pain in these women.
High estrogen levels during IVF pregnancy increase the risk of small birth weight and preeclampsia. Freezing embryos for later transfer when hormone levels were lower reduced the incidence of these complications in a small study.
A recent analysis of almost 150 BPA studies shows that human exposure levels are likely too low for estrogenic effects. The study found that blood concentrations of BPA are many times lower than those causing toxicity in animals, suggesting that animal studies may not accurately reflect the human BPA experience.
Researchers found higher uropathogenic E. coli reservoirs in post-menopausal women's bladders compared to pre-menopause, which can lead to UTIs. Estrogen supplementation reduced these reservoirs dramatically, highlighting a potential new approach to prevent or treat UTIs in this population.
A study of 20 cohort studies found that high fruit and vegetable intake was associated with a lower risk of estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) breast cancer. The results suggest that increasing vegetable consumption may help lower ER- breast cancer risk, which accounts for only 15-20% of breast cancers.
Researchers found that estrogen levels can affect infection susceptibility, bladder health and the inflammatory response to infection in mice with simulated menopause. Boosting estrogen levels may get a second look as an approach for reducing urinary tract infections in menopausal women.
A recent study by University of Texas Medical Branch researchers found that BPA substitute BPS disrupts cellular responses to estrogen, changing patterns of cell growth and death and hormone release. The study showed that low levels of BPS exposure can have similar effects as BPA, posing a concern for human health.
A new hormone therapy combining conventional estrogen with a bone-protective SERM-like drug has shown promise in reducing menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis risk without increasing breast cancer risk. The treatment approach, termed TSEC, was tested in postmenopausal nonhuman primates over a 20-month period.
A team of researchers has identified KNDy neurons as a likely control switch of hot flushes, suggesting that hormonal changes in menopause trigger vasodilation and increased body temperature. The discovery provides a crucial step towards developing more effective treatments for hot flushes.
Researchers have engineered natural gut peptides to carry small steroids, improving insulin secretion, blood glucose, and body weight in mice. The study's findings suggest a potential breakthrough in treating type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, with minimal risk of estrogen-related side effects.
Researchers at Indiana University found a way to combine two hormones into a single molecule, producing more effective weight loss with fewer side effects. The hormone combination targets the hypothalamus and pancreas, reducing the risk of cancer and stroke.
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends against the use of estrogen and progestin for chronic disease prevention in postmenopausal women. Hormone replacement therapies may reduce fracture risk but increase risk for stroke, thromboembolic events, and urinary incontinence. The recommendations aim to balance benefits with risks.
A study led by Kaiser Permanente found that drospirenone-containing birth control pills increase the risk of arterial thrombotic events and venous thromboembolic events. The study suggests that these drugs should be used cautiously for women seeking hormonal contraception, with alternatives available to minimize risks.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine found that BPA's metabolite MBP interacts more strongly with estrogen receptors than BPA itself, posing a greater health threat. This discovery could lead to the development of new drugs targeting excessive estrogen activity linked to diseases.
Researchers at UC Davis discovered that early-life diet and metabolic changes can stimulate breast growth and increase the risk of breast cancer, independent of estrogen levels. The study used mice with a diet supplemented with CLA to mimic metabolic syndrome, which was found to increase mammary duct growth and tumor formation.
The European Menopause and Andropause Society published a clinical guide on low-dose vaginal estrogens for postmenopausal vaginal atrophy, finding them effective in managing symptoms. The guide recommends annual review due to the chronic nature of vaginal atrophy.
Researchers found that maternal exposure to high-fat diets and excess estrogens during pregnancy increases breast cancer risk in daughters, granddaughters, and even great-granddaughters. The study suggests that biological alterations caused by maternal diet affect the offspring's breast tissue and make it more sensitive to carcinogens.
Researchers identified 12 genetic markers associated with sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels, which regulate testosterone and estrogen in the bloodstream. The study found that SHBG levels are influenced by multiple factors, including genes related to liver function, metabolism, and type 2 diabetes.
A new study found that long-term treatment with estrogen and MPA increased levels of a protein marker for synapses in the prefrontal cortex of aged rats. This contradicts previous research on human hormone therapy, which linked hormone replacement to an increased risk of stroke and dementia.
A study using pregnant mice found that BPA exposure changes the way genes respond to estrogen in adulthood, potentially explaining increased incidence of estrogen-related disorders. This can lead to conditions like uterine fibroids and endometriosis.
Research reveals that environmental estrogens, such as BPA and genistein, activate estrogen receptors in the heart valves of zebrafish embryos. This finding suggests that these compounds may have a critical role in early developmental stages, potentially leading to deleterious effects.
Researchers found that estrogens convert from one form to another in anoxic conditions, stalling biodegradation and complicating detection. The study reveals a reverse transformation process, where estrone reverts to alpha- and beta-estradiols, inhibiting further degradation.
The American College of Physicians Task Force recommends updating hormone therapy guidelines due to significant adverse events. Exercise and vitamin D supplementation are effective at reducing falls, but multifactorial risk assessment is not recommended for all elderly patients.
Researchers discovered a molecule called KLF15 that controls estradiol's actions by inhibiting DNA synthesis. This finding raises the possibility of preventing or treating endometrial and breast cancer with KLF15.
A possible link between benzophenone sunscreens and endometriosis has been identified by researchers. High levels of 2,4OH-BP were associated with an increased risk of endometriosis diagnosis in a study of 625 women.
Research suggests that brief prenatal exposure to plant estrogens may affect a woman's fertility as an adult. Exposure to estrogenic chemicals in the womb or during childhood has been shown to alter immune response genes and compromise oviduct support for preimplantation embryo development, leading to infertility.
A study led by Dr. Joshua Gatson reveals that estrone, an estrogen hormone, promotes brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which supports cell survival after traumatic brain injury. The findings indicate a fresh avenue for future research on protective capabilities of estrogen hormones.