Title:Stroke in Women - Oral Contraception, Pregnancy, and Hormone Replacement Therapy
Volume: 11
Issue: 1
Author(s): Kirsi Rantanen and Turgut Tatlisumak
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Hormonal replacement therapy, oral contraception, pregnancy, stroke, women
Abstract: Stroke is a devastating disease affecting millions of people worldwide every year. Female stroke victims have
higher mortality rates and they do not re-cover as well as men. Women’s longevity and different vascular risk factor burden
like a larger prevalence of atrial fibrillation play a role. Women also have unique risk factors such as oral contraception,
pregnancy, estrogen decrease after the menopause and hormone replacement therapy, which should all be evaluated
and taken into consideration in treatment decisions both in the acute phase of stroke and in secondary prevention. In this
review, the evidence regarding these hormonal aspects and the risk of stroke in women are evaluated. The relevant guidelines
are studied and research gaps identified. Future topics for research are recommended and current treatment possibilities
and their risks discussed.
