Hormone Therapy and Dementia

“This review found no evidence that MHT use either
increases or decreases the risk of dementia in
post-menopausal women. This reinforces…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Hormone Therapy and Dementia Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Hormone (Replacement) Therapy H(R)T
  • Hormone Medicines
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  • Hormone Therapy (HT)
  • Hormones
  • Medicines for Hormone Replacement Therapy
  • Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
  • Menopause Hormone Medicines
  • Menopause Medicines

Date

What can it be important to be clear about with hormone therapy (HT) information?

It can be important to be clear about the date of all information including the date of HT information, because this information may have been updated.

Symptoms or Chronic Conditions

What can it also be important to be clear about with HT information?

It can also be important to be clear about whether HT information is about the use of HT for the management of menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness or for the prevention of chronic conditions such as dementia, cardiovascular disease, cancer and osteoporosis.

Research

What has research found into whether taking oestrogen (as part of HRT) can reduce women’s risk of dementia?

In Hormones and Dementia: Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Reduce Dementia Risk? the (British) Alzheimer’s Society elaborate on:

“The research into whether taking oestrogen (as part of HRT) can reduce women’s risk of dementia has been mixed. Some studies suggest that oestrogen may reduce dementia risk whilst others say it increases it”.2

December 2025

What is the Interpretation of the Menopause Hormone Therapy and Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, commissioned by the World Health Organization and published in December 2025?

The authors’ Interpretation in the Menopause Hormone Therapy and Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis is:

Hormone Therapy and Dementia“This review found no evidence that MHT use either increases or decreases the risk of dementia in post-menopausal women. This reinforces current clinical guidance, that MHT prescription should be based on other perceived benefits and risks and not for dementia prevention. High-quality, long-term studies are needed to clarify the role of MHT and dementia risk, particularly regarding formulation, dose, route, timing, and duration of treatment, with a focus on women with premature ovarian insufficiency, early menopause, or mild cognitive impairment”.3

Dementia Prevention

Is HT recommended to prevent dementia?

On page three of Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy: 1. Who Is MHT For? Who Might Not Need MHT?, the International Menopause Society’s (IMS) Leaflet for Women for World Menopause Day 2024 the IMS note:

“Women who go through menopause at the natural age (after 45) and have no bothersome symptoms usually don’t need MHT. Some people believe MHT is a “fountain of youth”, but there’s little scientific evidence for that. It’s important to remember MHT is not recommended solely to prevent aging, memory loss, or dementia”.4
Hormone Therapy and Dementia

HT and Cognitive Health Myths

Where may I find Links related to HT or Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT) and cognitive health myths?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Health Care Provider

What if I would like to start HT?

If you would like to start HT, it may be in your best interest to also choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

On page one in Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use the Menopause Society include:

“Every woman is different, and you will decide about whether to use HT based on the severity of your symptoms, your personal and family health history, and your own beliefs about menopause treatments. Your healthcare professional will be able to help you with your decision”.5

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Hormone Therapy and Dementia?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Hormone Therapy and Dementia?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. ACOG Explains: Managing Menopause Symptoms [American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists]
  2. About Dementia: What Is Dementia?
  3. Association Between Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Risk of Neurodegenerative Diseases: Implications for Precision Hormone Therapy
  4. Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
  5. Busting Brain Myths: The Evolving Story of Menopause Hormone Therapy and Cognitive Health
  6. Can Hormone Therapy Protect Your Brain From Alzheimer’s and Dementia? Neuroscientist Explains
  7. Concerns About Hormone Therapy and Alzheimer’s Risk | Dr. Lisa Mosconi & Dr. Sharon Malone
  8. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  9. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2025 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Three Symptoms Linked To Cognitive Complaints
  10. Could It Be Perimenopause? How Hormones Influence the Brain
  11. Deciding About Hormone Therapy
  12. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  13. Dementia
  14. Dementia & MHT – Cause or Correlation?
  15. Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s Disease: Are They The Same?
  16. Does HRT Prevent Dementia? Or Cause It? Women’s Health Experts Prof Annice Mukherjee and Prof Joyce Harper Have Studied ALL the Research To Cut Through the Hype and Give the Definitive Answer
  17. Does Menopause Hormone Therapy Increase or Decrease Your Risk of Dementia? Here’s the Science
  18. Exclusive: Top Neuroscientist Unveils New Data On Hormone Therapy And Alzheimer’s Risk
  19. Expert Reaction To Observational Study on HRT and Dementia
  20. Experts Answer Your Menopause Questions In New Video
  21. FDA Direct: Removing Black Box Warnings for HRT (Part 1/2) [10 November 2025]
  22. FDA Direct: Removing Black Box Warnings for HRT (Part 2/2) [11 November 2025]
  23. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  24. Find A Practitioner [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  25. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  26. HRT Questions Answered
  27. HRT Use By Younger Women Linked To Dementia, Study Says. Experts Disagree [CNN Report]
  28. HRT, Misinformation and Navigating the Menopause Media Minefield With Kaye Adams
  29. HRT: Benefits and Risks
  30. Handling Hot Flushes and Night Sweats| Dr Louise Newson
  31. Here Are Eight Ways To Reduce Your Risk of Dementia
  32. Hormone Therapy In Postmenopausal Persons: Primary Prevention of Chronic Conditions
  33. Hormone Therapy and Dementia: Novel Insights
  34. Hormone Therapy and Dementia: What Do We Know?
  35. Hormone Therapy for Menopause Linked To Increased Risk of Dementia
  36. Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms
  37. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  38. Hormone Therapy and Dementia: Novel Insights
  39. Hormones and Brain Health | Dr Louise Newson
  40. Hormones and Dementia Risk
  41. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
  42. Hot Flashes? Night Sweats? Progesterone Can Help Reduce Symptoms of Menopause
  43. How Food Preferences Are Linked To Cognition and Brain Health – and Why A Balanced Diet Is Superior
  44. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Midlife Brain Fog
  45. IMS Past President and Current Treasurer Quoted In CNN Health Article on HRT and Dementia Risk
  46. Influences of Ovarian Hormones and Hormone Therapy on Alzheimer’s Disease Pathobiology
  47. International Menopause Society (IMS) Recommendations and Key Messages on Women’s Midlife Health and Menopause
  48. Is There A Link Between HRT and Cognitive Decline? Research Is Inconclusive
  49. Lisa Mosconi: Research Is ‘Validating … Women’s Experiences’
  50. Long-Term Cognitive Effects of Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Findings From the KEEPS Continuation Study
  51. Managing Menopause Symptoms [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  52. Mayo Clinic Minute: Can the MIND Diet Improve Brain Health? [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  53. Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Dementia [Editorials]
  54. Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Dementia: Nationwide, Nested Case-Control Study
  55. Menopause
  56. Menopause
    Black Women’s Menopause
  57. Menopause
    Menopause
  58. ‘Menopause Brain’ Is Real. Here’s How Women’s Brains Change In Midlife.
  59. Menopause Hormone Therapy Significantly Alters Pathophysiological Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease
  60. Menopause Hormone Therapy and Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  61. Menopause Linked To Loss of Grey Matter In the Brain, Poorer Mental Health and Sleep Disturbance
  62. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Hormone Therapy
  63. Menopause May Unmask Vulnerability To Alzheimer’s Disease, Other Dementias
  64. Menopause Study: How Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Impact Dementia Risk?
  65. Menopause Symptoms May Be Critical To Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease Risk In Women
  66. Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
  67. Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t
  68. Menopause, Hormone Replacement Therapy, & Dementia
  69. Menopause: HRT’s Brain-Protecting Effect May Be Overstated
  70. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline Published: 12 November 2015 Last Updated: 07 November 2024]
    Hormone Therapy
  71. Menopause: Identification and Management: NICE Guideline [NG23] [07 November 2024]
  72. Menopause: Things You Can Do
  73. Mosconi: ‘Menopause Is A Neurologically Active State’
  74. Navigating Menopause Care Resource Guide
  75. Nonhormone Treatments for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
  76. Perimenopause
  77. Perimenopause and Menopause Checklist: Translated Checklists
  78. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
    Perimenopause Symptom Checklist
  79. Science In 5: Episode #122 – Dementia
  80. Shedding Light on the Menopause Experience and Demystifying Treatment
  81. Staying Healthy During and After Menopause
  82. Study Linking HRT With Dementia Risk ‘Unhelpful’
  83. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Menopause Hormone Therapy on Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
  84. The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause
  85. The Menopause Society Statement on Misinformation Surrounding Hormone Therapy
    Hormone Therapy
  86. The Role of Estrogen Therapy As A Protective Factor for Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia In Postmenopausal Women: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature
  87. The Women’s Health Initiative Trials: Clinical Messages
  88. Treatments for Menopause
  89. Video & Podcast Library: Videos – World Menopause Day 2024: Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
  90. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
  91. Webinars: Lifestyle Medicine
  92. What Is Dementia? Symptoms, Types, and Diagnosis
  93. When Does Perimenopause Start and How Do You Define the Beginning
  94. Why Is Dementia Different for Women?
  95. Womensbrainhealth.org [Women’s Brain Health Initiative]
  96. World Menopause Day 2024: Leaflet for Women – Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy [Multiply Languages]
    Hormone Therapy and Dementia
  97. Young Onset Dementia: Perimenopause and Menopause

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Melville, M., He, L., Desai, R et al.Menopause Hormone Therapy and Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis – Interpretation. December 2025 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanhl/article/PIIS2666-7568(25)00122-9/fulltext Accessed: 10 January 2026
  2. Hormones and Dementia: Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Reduce Dementia Risk? Last Reviewed: 23 December 2024. Alzheimer’s Society https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/risk-factors-and-prevention/hormones-and-dementia Accessed: 10 January 2026
  3. Melville, M., He, L., Desai, R et al.Menopause Hormone Therapy and Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis – Interpretation. December 2025 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanhl/article/PIIS2666-7568(25)00122-9/fulltext Accessed: 10 January 2026
  4. Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy: 1. Who Is MHT For? Who Might Not Need MHT? 2024:3. International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-WMD-Leaflet_English.pdf Accessed: 10 January 2026
  5. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Risks. 2025:1. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/default-document-library/MenoNote-Deciding-About-HT-2025.pdf Accessed: 10 January 2026
Topic Last Updated: 30 January 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 10 January 2026

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