A recent study published in PLOS Medicine indicates that short-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to manage menopausal symptoms does not cause long-term harm to women's cognitive functions. The research, led by Carey Gleason from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, followed women for a decade after they concluded a four-year HRT regimen.
The study addresses concerns raised by the 2002 Women's Health Initiative study, which linked long-term HRT to increased risks of blood clots, stroke, breast cancer, and heart disease. This led to a decline in HRT use, followed by a more nuanced understanding that short-term HRT around the time of menopause might offer benefits with fewer risks.
The Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS) previously found no cognitive declines four years after women stopped HRT. The new report assessed 275 women from the KEEPS cohort, 10 years after they completed their four-year hormone therapy. Participants had received either hormonal supplements (Premarin, Climara, or Prometrium) via pill or patch, or placebo.
The findings demonstrated that "menopausal hormone therapy was not associated with cognitive benefits nor does menopausal hormone therapy prevent cognitive decline," according to Gleason and her team. The study suggests that while short-term HRT does not impair cognitive function, it should not be viewed as a cognitive enhancer.
Gleason's team emphasized the importance of providing clear, evidence-based information about menopausal hormone therapy to women and healthcare providers. They also called for further research into the long-term effects of HRT on other health outcomes, such as mood and Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers.
