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A recent study published on November 21 in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine reveals that short-term menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) does not lead to long-term cognitive effects in women who are in early postmenopause. This research, led by Carey Gleason from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, emphasizes the complexity surrounding the use of MHT amid concerns regarding safety and cognitive health.
MHT is often utilized to alleviate the troubling symptoms associated with menopause; however, many women and their healthcare providers remain cautious due to safety apprehensions. Previous studies have established a potential connection between one specific form of hormone therapy and risks of mild cognitive impairment and dementia in women over the age of 65. As a result, researchers have explored the significance of age and the timing of hormone therapy in relation to cognitive decline. Some studies have even suggested potential long-term benefits of transdermal estrogen on cognitive health.
The findings derive from the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS), which involved women in early postmenopause who were in good cardiovascular health. These participants were randomized to receive either oral or transdermal estrogen or a placebo. After a four-year period, no significant cognitive advantages or disadvantages were observed in those who underwent MHT compared to those on placebo. Nevertheless, the long-term cognitive implications of MHT remain largely unexplored.
Continuing this inquiry, the KEEPS Continuation Study revisited participants about ten years later to assess cognitive function through a series of tests. Out of the 275 women tested, the study showed that while MHT did not safeguard against cognitive decline, it also did not negatively influence cognitive abilities over the long term.
These results may provide reassurance for women weighing the benefits and risks of MHT, contributing to the evolving research landscape that highlights the importance of timing in hormone therapy. However, further studies are necessary to determine if these findings apply to women who are at greater cardiovascular risk.
The authors of the study noted, “For women in menopause and the health care providers caring for them, getting direct, clear and evidence-based information about menopausal hormone therapy is challenging. And they need data to guide their decisions.”
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