Menopause and exacerbation of hepatitis C

Was just wondering if you know of any research which attributes going through menopause to be something which would cause an underlying hepatitis C to all of a sudden become active. I have evidently had Hep C since recieving blood transfusions in 1969. I have not had any symptoms and still am not having symptoms and only found out because I had liver functions done as part of a routine health exam. They were very slightly elevated in 2006 and had quadrupled in 2007. Before this time none of my lab work had ever been abnormal. I now have a high Iron (201) and a high ammonia (119) count as well as an elevated alphafetoprotein tumor marker (50.6) My platelet count is down to 108 and my WBC is 3.8.  Only change in my life is that I started on Flecainide and Atenolol for paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation, which has been controlled for the last two years on these drugs, and have also gone through menopause. I am a stage 3-4, Genotype 1a Hep C with a viral load of 9 million. Have not started treatment yet and am wondering if taking hormones would slow down the progression of this illness. Thanks for your info.