Hormone Therapy and Dementia Risk

Hormone Therapy and Dementia Risk

“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 Risk 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 and osteoporosis.

Research

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

In Hormones and Dementia Risk: 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

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 Risk?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

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  49. Long-Term Cognitive Effects of Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Findings From the KEEPS Continuation Study
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  51. Mayo Clinic Minute: Can the MIND Diet Improve Brain Health? [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
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  60. Menopause Hormone Therapy and Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
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  77. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2025: Lifestyle Medicine
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  90. The Role of Estrogen Therapy As A Protective Factor for Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia In Postmenopausal Women: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature
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  100. 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: 27 July 2026
  2. Hormones and Dementia Risk: Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Reduce Dementia Risk? Alzheimer’s Society https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/risk-factors-and-prevention/hormones-and-dementia Accessed: 27 July 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: 27 July 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: 27 July 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: 27 July 2026
Topic Last Updated: 27 August 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 27 July 2026

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