A large UK study of more than 183,000 postmenopausal women suggests that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be associated with a lower risk of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers from the University of East Anglia and the University of Exeter found that women who used HRT had a 16% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s compared with those who had never used it. The findings were published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia and are among the largest studies to examine the relationship between HRT and dementia risk.
The strongest benefits were observed among women who experienced surgical menopause, who showed a 26% lower risk of developing dementia. Researchers also found that women with lower lifetime estrogen exposure, such as those who experienced early menopause, appeared to benefit more from HRT. The study further suggests that timing may play an important role, with women who began HRT between ages 46 and 56 experiencing the greatest reduction in dementia risk.
While the findings add to growing research on the connection between menopause, brain health, and dementia risk, the authors emphasize that the study shows an association rather than proving that HRT directly prevents dementia. More research is needed to better understand how factors such as genetics, timing, and hormone exposure influence long-term cognitive health.
Visit The Guardian website to learn more about the study and its implications for women’s brain health and dementia prevention.
