Womens Health (Hormone) (FSD)

BY ANDREW KANTOR

Morning sickness is all about the hormones. That part isn’t surprising, but what’s newsworthy is that USC researchers say they’ve discovered exactly which hormone it is — and (potentially) what can be done about it.

The hormone is called GDF15, and it’s produced by the fetus; it surges in the first trimester.

“[T]he baby growing in the womb is producing a hormone at levels the mother is not used to. The more sensitive she is to this hormone, the sicker she will become. Knowing this gives us a clue as to how we might prevent this from happening.”

Some women are especially sensitive to GDF15 and can have morning sickness that requires hospitalization. (Looking at you, Catherine, Princess of Wales.) Other woman have a genetic blood disorder that gives them chronically

BY ANDREW KANTOR

When women take hormones treatment after menopause, there’s a risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE)— dangerous blood clots that can occur with certain hormones.

Good news: Statins, it seems, can help reduce that risk, based on data from 224,000 women crunched by University of Texas Medical Branch researchers.

That not only means the obvious (women taking hormone therapy can reduce their risk), but that women who have avoided hormone treatment because of the clotting risk might be able to use hormones after all, as long as they also take a statin.

Side note: These same researchers found that the risk of VTE was greater with oral estrogen than with other delivery mechanisms — good to know.

If you’re taking hormones or thinking about it, this is a great time to talk to your compounding pharmacist.