Using hormone therapy during menopause that uses hormone replacement drugs does notDevelopment of dementia. This is according to a new study that shows that such risks do not depend on hormone type, dose or duration. Additionally, these current study results should provide reassurance to women undergoing replacement therapy. However, the authors noted some specific changes from taking such medications that caught their attention.
How menopausal hormone therapy affects cognitive function
The use of hormone therapyDuring menopause there are supposed to be hot flashes, relieve sleep disorders, mood swings, memory loss and depression. Treatments include tablets containing only estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progestin, as well as patches, gels, and creams. However, some symptoms resemble early signs of dementia. Previous laboratory studies have suggested a beneficial link between estrogen and age-related decline in brain function. Accordingly, some research has pointed to possible risks from taking such hormone supplements. To address this uncertainty, in the present study researchers examined the risks of developing dementia in women. However, after controlling for potentially confounding factors, researchers found no associations between hormone therapy use and dementia risk. However, an analysis of cases with a specific Alzheimer's diagnosis showed a slight increase in risk associated with estrogen-progestin therapy.
The authors claim that this study provides the most detailed estimates of risk for individual treatments. Furthermore, their results are consistent with existing concerns in guidelines about long-term exposures to combined hormone replacement therapies. Overall, these observations do not change the recommendation that hormone therapy during menopause should not be used to prevent dementia.This studyshould therefore provide reassurance to women and their treating physicians if therapy is not prescribed because of such concerns. According to the authors, the results will help physicians and their patients make decisions about hormone therapy more easily.
