LONDON, December 22, 2023 – A large-scale study released today offers reassurance to women questioning the cognitive effects of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT): it found no evidence that MHT increases or decreases the risk of dementia. This finding directly challenges previous concerns and aligns with a recent shift in medical guidance.
Dementia Risk and Hormone Therapy: what the New Data Shows
The extensive analysis, sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), reviewed data from over 1 million participants and steadfast that MHT has no discernible impact-positive or negative-on dementia risk.
- The study analyzed one randomized clinical trial and nine observational studies.
- Researchers found no significant association between MHT and dementia or mild cognitive impairment.
- The WHO currently lacks recommendations regarding MHT and cognitive function, highlighting a need for further research.
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently removed warnings about dementia risk associated with hormone therapy.
The research, published in the Lancet healthy Longevity, comes on the heels of a November decision by the FDA to remove longstanding warnings linking hormonal treatment for menopause to an increased risk of dementia. FDA Commissioner Dr. Makary even suggested that MHT could perhaps reduce a woman’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
The meta-analysis meticulously examined one randomized clinical trial alongside nine observational studies, encompassing a total of more than 1 million participants. Researchers consistently found no significant association between menopausal hormone treatment and the progress of dementia or even mild cognitive impairment. The therapy, according to their observations, exerts no influence in either direction.
The Need for Continued Examination
“Currently, the World Health Organization does not provide any recommendations regarding menopausal hormone therapy and its effects on cognitive function, representing a significant gap for clinicians and policy makers,” stated Professor Aimee Spector, from the department of psychology and language sciences at University College London (UCL), and lead author of the study. “To find out more, we reviewed the most rigorous research on the subject and found that menopausal hormone therapy does not appear to have either a positive or negative impact on the risk of dementia.”
This analysis is expected to inform the development of future WHO recommendations on reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, which are scheduled for publication in 2026. Researchers emphasize the need for additional, high-quality, long-term studies to fully elucidate the long-term effects of MHT.
Study Findings – The study found no significant association between MHT and dementia or mild cognitive impairment, reinforcing the need for individualized treatment decisions.
Future Recommendations – the WHO plans to publish updated recommendations on cognitive decline and dementia risk reduction in 2026, incorporating findings from this and future research.
Ultimately, the study reinforces the idea that decisions regarding MHT should be individualized, based on a woman’s specific health profile and a thorough discussion with her healthcare provider. The focus should remain on managing symptoms and overall well-being, rather than relying on hormone therapy as a preventative measure against dementia.
