Dr Amir Khan suggested that men could help protect against coronavirus by taking the contraceptive pill as he appeared on Good Morning Britain today.
Talking to ITV hosts Kate Garraway and Ben Shepard, he said the oestrogen in the pill can help slow down the effects of Covid-19.
He said: “In my experience, the patients I’ve seen with the worst symptoms of coronavirus tend to be men.
“The idea is that oestrogen specifically can be protective.
“What it does is boost your immune system, so your immune system reacts quicker to the virus once it takes hold and you get less of a severe response.”
Dr Amir Khan suggested that men could help protect against coronavirus by taking the contraceptive pill (Image: ITV)
The doctor added: “So yes, potentially the contraceptive pill, HRT, can be protective in terms of boosting your immunity and protecting you against the serious signs and symptoms of Covid-19.”
Kate then asked: “Does more research need to be done? Because people are going to think “Well, I’ll go and get myself one. I’ll risk my man boobs and just go and get myself on the contraceptive pill.’
“That’s going to be an instinct to people, isn’t it.”
The expert spoke to Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard on GMB today (Image: ITV)
The doctor warned: “It may feel that way, all hormones have side effects, there’s risks associated with it – problems with oestrogen-related cancer, breast cancer… so everything has to be balanced.
“We certainly wouldn’t want everyone just going on oestrogen pills or hormone pills because that can cause problems in itself.
“It’s all about striking a balance. We certainly wouldn’t recommend all men go on the horomone pill at all.”
Dr Amir Khan’s appearance on the show came as it was announcing Ben Shephard is leaving GMB to focus on fellow ITV show Tipping Point.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV at 6am
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
