Scientists find ‘window of opportunity’ to start HRT to cut dementia risk

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By Ella Pickover, PA Media

Researchers have pinpointed a “window of opportunity” for women to start taking hormone replacement therapy for the menopause which may also help reduce their risk of dementia in later life.

A large new study of post-menopausal UK women found that taking the common treatment for menopausal symptoms can significantly reduce a women’s risk of dementia.

The new study, led by experts from the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the University of Exeter, saw researchers analyse data on more than 183,000 post-menopausal women taking part in the UK Biobank study.

During an average 13-year follow-up, almost 4,000 were diagnosed with dementia.

After examining information on dementia diagnoses and HRT use, the research team found that taking hormone therapy was associated to a 10% reduced risk of all dementia and a 16% reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease specifically.

And the research team found that starting treatment between the ages of 46 and 56 “conferred greatest benefit”.