ECSTASY MORE DEADLY TO WOMEN

High Estrogen Levels Make Drug Dangerous

LONDON (Reuters) -- Young women taking the synthetic drug ecstasy are
much more likely to die than any other group, according to new
research published yesterday.

The drug is more dangerous for women of reproductive age because of
high levels of the female hormone estrogen in their bodies, said
researchers at Kings College, London.

The hormone prevents their bodies from coping with water retention
which occurs as ecstasy is absorbed in the body, the Times newspaper
reported.

"The way that young women, in particular, respond to ecstasy places
them at risk, though these effects can apply to anyone who takes the
drug," neuroendocrinology professor Mary Forsling told the paper.

"Ecstasy is especially dangerous because of the circumstances in
which people take it," Forsling was quoted as saying.

"Dancing raises the body temperature, you drink a lot, your hormones
tell your body to retain water, you drink more. It is something of a
vicious cycle," she added.

Known as MDMA, ecstasy is an illegal amphetamine-based drug that
causes euphoric and mildly hallucinatory effects.

As ecstasy is broken down within the body it produces another
chemical, known as HMMA, which causes the release of a hormone
encouraging the body to drink.

The resulting imbalance of sodium levels in the body can be fatal.

The study was to be presented at the annual meeting of the Society of
Endocrinology in London yesterday.

Each year, 11 people die in Britain after taking ecstasy, according
to the Office for National Statistics.

Ontario's ecstasy-related deaths have risen from zero in 1997 to nine
last year, Dr. Bonita Porter, deputy chief coroner of Ontario, said
this month.

There are six confirmed and three likely related deaths this year, she added.