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The Role of Reproductive Hormones in Cardiovascular and Neuroendocrine Function during Behavioral Stress

  • Chapter
Individual Differences in Cardiovascular Response to Stress

Part of the book series: Perspectives on Individual Differences ((PIDF))

Abstract

The role of reproductive hormones—both male and female—in the development and progression of coronary heart disease has been studied by epidemiologists for many years, yet discrepancies in the epidemiological literature are widespread, no doubt due to the complexities of the human reproductive system itself. Despite the discrepancies, there is significant evidence that endogenous ovarian hormones—most likely the estrogens—serve a cardioprotective role for women. In some cases, and in small doses, certain exogenous estrogens might also be protective against heart disease. There is little doubt that both endogenous and exogenous reproductive hormones play a complicated role in modulating the risk of coronary heart disease.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Behavioral Medicine, The Miriam Hospital and Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island, 02906, USA

    Catherine M. Stoney

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  1. Catherine M. Stoney
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599-7175, USA

    J. Rick Turner , Andrew Sherwood  & Kathleen C. Light ,  & 

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Stoney, C.M. (1992). The Role of Reproductive Hormones in Cardiovascular and Neuroendocrine Function during Behavioral Stress. In: Turner, J.R., Sherwood, A., Light, K.C. (eds) Individual Differences in Cardiovascular Response to Stress. Perspectives on Individual Differences. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0697-7_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0697-7_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-0699-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-0697-7

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