A common procedure used by women to alleviate menopausal symptoms may actually elevate their risk of developing dementia, a new observational study has revealed.
With approximately 44 percent (pdf) of women resorting to estrogen and progestin hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to counter hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and other menopause-related side effects, the findings have sparked discussions among experts, urging a thorough investigation into the potential implications for women’s health.
HRT Increased Dementia Risk in Women Aged 50 to 60 Within 20 Years
The new study analyzing data from over 60,000 Danish women found links between HRT and increased risk of dementia. The research examined medical records of nearly 5,600 women aged 50 to 60 diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s between 2000 and 2018, comparing them to over 55,000 women without these conditions.
George Citroner
Author
George Citroner reports on health and medicine, covering topics that include cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions. He was awarded the Media Orthopaedic Reporting Excellence (MORE) award in 2020 for a story on osteoporosis risk in men.
