Recent findings highlight that short-term hormone therapy for menopause symptoms does not result in long-term cognitive impacts. This research is pivotal in understanding how menopausal treatments affect brain health over time.
Hormone therapy is often used to alleviate symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. While it offers symptomatic relief, the broader impacts on cognitive health have been under scrutiny. Recent data from the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS) Continuation study provides new insights, indicating that short-term hormone therapy does not enhance nor impair cognitive function in the long term.
This study focused on women in the menopausal transition, a phase marked by a significant drop in estrogen levels. Participants of the original KEEPS study, which included healthy, recently postmenopausal women with low cardiovascular risk, were divided into groups receiving either a placebo, a transdermal estradiol patch, or oral conjugated estrogens, alongside micronized progesterone. The follow-up analysis involved 275 women, who underwent cognitive assessments a decade after the initial study concluded.
The results indicate no significant differences in cognitive outcomes between those who received hormone therapy and those who received a placebo. These findings suggest that early menopause hormone therapy does not influence cognitive function long-term in women with low cardiovascular disease risk.
Dr. G. Thomas Ruiz, an OB-GYN not involved in the study, commented, “This research examines cognitive effects from a unique angle, diverging from common studies that often hypothesize benefits. However, it’s reassuring to note the absence of negative cognitive impacts. Notably, prolonged hormone therapy is generally associated with reduced Alzheimer’s risk.”
The study’s scope was somewhat limited by its participant pool, which lacked diversity, being primarily composed of Caucasian women of average age 52, with strict inclusion criteria. This means the findings cannot be broadly generalized across all demographics. Moreover, a one-time assessment in the follow-up does not fully capture potential cognitive changes over time. Future research could benefit from a more diverse group of participants and longer monitoring periods.
The potential benefits of short-term hormone therapy remain evident despite these limitations. Dr. Rikki Baldwin suggests that hormonal treatments could significantly reduce menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia, and mood fluctuations, although its cognitive benefits remain anecdotal. Baldwin advises a comprehensive discussion on timing, dosage, and treatment routes for hormone therapy. Despite not being FDA-approved, hormone therapy shows promise in improving bone health and possibly cognitive health.
Experts continue to explore these therapies’ implications, considering their benefits and risks, such as the potential for worsening cardiovascular conditions. Despite these factors, many believe hormone replacement therapy should be a first-line treatment in suitable candidates.
The study underscores the need to continue exploring hormone therapy’s effects, encouraging more nuanced conversations between patients and healthcare providers. As the understanding of hormone therapy evolves, it remains a vital option for managing menopausal symptoms with a known safety profile regarding cognitive function.
Source: Medicalnewstoday
