Role of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
The role of HRT is to balance estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Replacing low levels of these hormones has been found to greatly reduce menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and disrupted sleep.
HRT Dementia
Two-thirds of the people who get Alzheimer's disease are female.
Dementia is a generalized term for impaired mental function. The relationship between Hormone Replacement Therapy and Alzheimer's is not completely known. Alzheimer's is a progressive brain disorder that causes memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavior changes. The exact cause is unknown, but some factors may increase the risk including age, genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
Some studies have suggested that Hormone Replacement Therapy may have a protective effect against Alzheimer's disease especially when started early in menopause and used for a long time.
Menopause brain, it's not always dementia or Alzheimer's Disease
Alot of women worry that these are early signs of dementia. But if these experiences coincide with changes in your hormone levels and maybe a few (or many) hot flushes, they are far more likely to be signs of menopause than the onset of dementia.
Menopause brain is not “all in your mind”. The physical and emotional symptoms related to the changes in your hormone levels are very real and can be debilitating.
Menopause often coincides with other significant life events, such as adult children leaving home, the arrival of grandchildren, the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart disease, ageing parents requiring care, planning for transition to retirement or, conversely, having the time to take your career up a gear. Therefore, any symptoms related to menopause, including the effects on brain function, have to be seen in the context of everything else that is going on in your life.
And the answer is . . .
We just are not 100% certain. Hormone Replacement Therapy may have different effects on Dementia and Alzheimer's disease risk depending on the type, timing, and duration of use as well as the individual characteristics of the woman. The best way for you to decide if you want to use HRT or not is to consult with your doctor and together you can weigh the pros and cons based on your personal history. It's also best to adopt lifestyle habits that reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Exercise, eat a whole foods diet, avoid smoking and alcohol and keep your mind active and engaged.
Each person’s experience in menopause is different. Talk with a provider about whether hormone therapy may be helpful for you and for guidance on how to prevent your risk for dementia. You can find a list of menopause-aware information on the North American Menopause Society.
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