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It is unclear what causes Raynaud's phenomenon, but studies have suggested that it is aggravated by hormonal changes. Women taking estrogen have an increased vasoconstrictor response. This study investigated whether postmenopausal estrogen therapy is associated with an increased incidence of Raynaud's phenomenon. Researchers assessed Raynaud's symptoms in 497 postmenopausal women from the Framingham Offspring Study. Women were classified as having Raynaud's phenomenon by questionnaire or by affirming in follow-up that their fingers were sensitive to cold, turning at least two colors (white, blue, or red) with exposure. Current hormone use was categorized as none, estrogen alone, or estrogen plus progesterone.
Adjusting for age, body mass ind…