The U.K. researchers determined that HRT use was associated with about a 10% lower risk of all-cause dementia and a 16% lower risk of Alzheimer\u2019s disease over a 13-year follow-up period.<\/p>\n
‘LONGEVITY GENE’ MAY PROTECT THE BRAIN FROM ALZHEIMER’S BY BOOSTING DNA REPAIR, STUDY FINDS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The association was strongest among women<\/a> who started the therapy between the ages of 46 and 56. It was also high among those who had undergone surgical menopause.<\/p>\n Starting HRT after age 56 was not associated with reduced dementia risk.<\/p>\n Women who start hormone replacement therapy at a certain age may have a lower dementia risk, a new study suggests. (iStock)<\/p>\n Dr. Alexa Fiffick, a board-certified family medicine physician and founder of Concierge Medicine of Westlake in Cleveland, Ohio, noted that this was an observational study that can\u2019t show cause and effect.<\/p>\n “So, it kind of stays where the data has been for a while \u2014 that in certain patients, we have no evidence that it really makes a difference,” she told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n 7 NEW DEMENTIA RISK FACTORS REVEALED \u2014 INCLUDING ONE MILLIONS STRUGGLE WITH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “And, for some patients, such as [those] who go through menopause a little bit younger, whether that’s surgically<\/a> or naturally, or if they have that APOE \u03b54 genotype that predisposes them to dementia, there may be some benefit.”<\/p>\n Study limitations<\/p>\n The researchers also stated that since this was an observational study, it could not establish that HRT prevents dementia<\/a> but only showed an association.<\/p>\n The study also did not assess any safety outcomes or adverse events related to HRT.<\/p>\n Women who use HRT may differ from non-users in other ways that affect dementia risk, such as their overall health, lifestyle or access to healthcare, the researchers noted.<\/p>\n There is some data linking menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats, with vascular changes in the brain, a doctor noted. (iStock)<\/p>\n Although researchers adjusted for many of these factors, some unmeasured differences could still factor into the lower dementia risk seen among HRT users.<\/p>\n The study also did not have detailed information on the types of hormone therapy<\/a>, the way they were administered or the specific dosages women took.<\/p>\n “If you’re having symptoms, if you feel not yourself, come in, talk to your doctor, have that conversation.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Most of the people in the study were of European ancestry and tended to be better off financially, so the findings may not apply equally to people from other populations.<\/p>\n This study alone likely doesn’t warrant seeking out HRT just for dementia prevention, Fiffick said.<\/p>\n “However, if you’re having symptoms, if you feel not yourself, come in, talk to your doctor, have that conversation,” she advised.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n There is some data linking menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats, with vascular changes in the brain<\/a>, the doctor noted.<\/p>\n “So, we are very hopeful to see that treating those symptoms may prevent the vascular changes that lead to vascular dementia, but we just don’t have that data right now,” she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n “So, it’s worth the conversation, it’s worth bringing up, but I wouldn’t go out of your way for just this purpose.”<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n HRT does carry some known risks and side effects, Fiffick noted.<\/p>\n For oral versions of estrogen, there may be an increased risk of blood clots. That risk does not appear to exist for transdermal options, such as patches, gels and creams.<\/p>\n As this was an observational study, it could not establish that HRT prevents dementia but only showed an association. (iStock)<\/p>\n Other types of HRT may impact breast activity, overall inflammation, cardiovascular markers<\/a> and cardiometabolic markers, according to the doctor.<\/p>\n “So, it’s not one size fits all, and it’s really worth an extensive conversation.”<\/p>\n Looking ahead<\/p>\n The U.K. researchers plan to conduct randomized controlled trials to confirm that HRT reduces dementia risk. Future studies will include factors such as estrogen-only versus combined therapy, dosage amounts, administration route, treatment duration, age at the start of therapy, menopause type and potentially APOE genotype<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Mature](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/mature-woman-taking-pill.jpg\")
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