Research on early menopause and higher dementia risk

[JinglingHellsBells]

www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6857257/Starting-period-late-entering-menopause-early-increase-dementia-risk-20-study.html

Obviously using HRT offsets this so if you had an early menopause and use HRT the risks aren't any higher.

Obviously using HRT offsets this so if you had an early menopause and use HRT the risks aren't any higher
This is absolutely not what that research suggest, please stop reaching the conclusions you are looking for because you ha e a strong personal belief that hrt is a miracle drug.

The research has shown a link between later age starting periods and early age stopping them and an increase risk of developing alzeimer as well as having more children linked to a reduced risk, however, they have not in any way demonstrated that it solely due to the oestrogen. Indeed, they mention compounding factors such as alcohol consumption, physical and mental activity etc... Even though women are more at risk of developing it, if it was solely due to a decrease in oestrogen, men wouldn't get it at all (or less than 1/3rd).

30 years ago, there were research demonstrating the dangers of hrt that prompter many women staying away from it wrongly through fear. Doing the same thing the opposite way is really no better.

What a shame we can't have a sensible debate without becomin emotional and personal.

The research quoted is ONE of many papers on this.

There is an interesting discussion on the Alzheimer's own website which pretty much says the same thing.

Any women reading this forum who have an early menopause may find it interesting for their own health.

www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/risk-factors-and-prevention/hormones-and-dementia

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319721.php

There is more than risks because of hrt. For me the quality of life is the main criterion for taking hrt.
When we replace the estrogen our body should have, we just delay the consequences of estrogen loss.
The time we can use it is a strongly personal decision and it depends on many factors. For the ladies with early Meno the official guidelines is to take hrt at least until the normal age of menopause. It is a fact and not a personal belief.

What a shame we can't have a sensible debate without becomin emotional and personal
I agree, but you could have quoted without your point of view using such words as 'obviously' when thre is no demonstrated obviousness to what you state.

One key aspect of the menopause is anxiety, especially health anxiety. Making such statement that obviously taking hrt means that the risk is offset when the article doesn't say this at all. The article quotes "Although the researchers are not sure why a shorter reproductive window is linked to a higher dementia risk, they believe hormone levels may play a role"
There is a big gap between using words as as MAY and OBVIOUSLY. They then go on to say "Dr Fargo says that while women can't necessarily control when their reproductive years begin and end, there's plenty they can safely do to lower their dementia risk. Exercise, make healthy eating choices, staying socially and mentally active". The article doesn't even mention hrt.

So whereas I'm all for sharing information go give the chance to women to decidecwhat I'd best for them, referring to a frightening research and using this mean to once again promote hrt as a counteractive measure is not helpful.

I started menopause at 37 and was finished by 40, completely.
I had a child during this time and have never taken HRT.
Currently freakin out at this post as forgetting words for things I'm only 52.

For the ladies with early Meno the official guidelines is to take hrt at least until the normal age of menopause
This is to do with the additional risks of oestoporosis, but not everyone is at risk of oestoporosis even with an early menopause and this can be monitored seperatly.

Why can't some women respect that hrt is not the magical cure for everyone as its been for them. My MIL in her 80s swear by it and said that it made it all OK for her. She took it from the age of 50 and still does in her 80s, yer she suffers from oestoporosis. She kept pestering my SIL to go on it and really gave her a hard time when she said she'd tried different types and it just didn't help her as the benefits didn't outweigh the side effects. She's now over it and very happy. She's now doing the same with me. I can't mention a thing without her saying it's my fault for not taking it and is totally blind to any discussion to the fact that it just doesn't suit everyone just as any other treatment.

If it's about estrogen that you experience as part of a fertile cycle (sorry if I've got the wrong end of the stick) then how does that work for women who have had long periods of time with no menstrual periods because of things like
Contraception
Pregnancies
Breastfeeding?

What an interesting article.

Women are 50% more likely to develop dementia over their lifetimes than men. Women tend to outlive men, I wondered if that has been factored into this statistic.

Previous research has shown estrogen stimulates energy expenditure and has anti inflammatory properties, which may increase the risk of a dementia diagnosis. Surely, this should read decrease not increase? I thought inflammation was (another) dementia risk?

I am not aware of anyone in my family who has suffered from dementia (touchwood). The downside is that they have tended to die early

Why can't some women respect that hrt is not the magical cure for everyone as its been for them

I don't see how posting something from the news, which maybe of interest, has anything to do with whether the poster is or is not on HRT.

I think in order to discuss the pros and cons of anything, it's important to avoid personal anecdotes and look at the science.

Using terms like 'magical cure' is quite emotive and seems personal.

I know you were talking to /about me swing as you replied with the same line to my previous post.

I posted for general interest.

Yes, I fully accept that HRT works for me. I feel good on it. Why should I not be able to post that? Is there some kind of moderation going on?

The medical profession states very clearly that for women under 60, HRT has more benefits than risks. This is not a belief or an opinion- it is based on fact.

If someone can't get on with it, or doesn't want to use it, fair enough, but that's their issue and doesn't mean they should stop me or anyone talking about the benefits. You're coming over as trying to censor what people post.

However, as a health writer, I read almost everything there is on many health topics. I'd continue to post information on HRT regardless of whether I used it or not.

FWIW on this topic, early and, more specifically, premature menopause (under 40) is linked to Parkinson's disease (as well as other serious health issues.) Parkinson's disease has many similarities with dementia and especially certain forms of dementia in the way proteins in the brain are affected. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4347401/

Swing of course hrt is not an absolute prevention for osteoporosis. There are ladies with osteopenia with regular periods because of other factors as genetics, treatments with steroids etc.
The official treatment for premature or early meno is hrt if there are no contradictions. That is a fact. Your statement is a personal belief and not a scientific evidence.
If a woman with early meno choose not to take hrt, it is ok if she is fully informed with the possible risks for not replacing the estrogen her body should have until at least 50.

I posted for general interest
And as I've already said but you have conveniently chosen to ignore, I have no issue with any article related to the menopause being posted, although a direct link to the actual research is always better than a link to a daily newspaper often written by editors who have little scientific background. My issue was with the assertion you've made linking it to hrt when there is no mention of hrt in the article at all. Adding the word 'obviously' is totally midguided and biased.

As for the reference to early menopause, for one NICE guidance only (as opposed to a Technical appraisal Guidance but expect few of any will know the difference) refers to early menopause as women under 40 and recommendation is hrt OR the hormonal contraceptive.

The article refers to women at risk under the age of 47.

Enerauld, no personal belief, I have nothing against hrt and might very well decide to give it another go. What I don't like is how some posters choosectheur words in such a way to make it seem that hrt is a much healthier option. In the case of reducing the risk of Alzeihmers, we are still some way before reaching the conclusion that it OBVIOUSLY does.

swing I am happy to discuss with you and anyone reading. But I object to your rudeness and aim to make it a bit personal as if you want to censor anything I post. That's all.

And yes, the DM is not the fountain of all knowledge, but I did link to 2 research papers/ reputable sites.

There are papers which show that for some women when STARTED EARLY- HRT may prevent dementia. This is in the 2nd link. There is conflicting evidence but the consultants I have spoken to as part of my work, do all seem to agree that there is a def hormonal link.

The issue about age.

I'm sorry but premature menopause is before 40, early menopause is before 45, and some consultants (check out Menopause matters site written by a consultant) says that before aged 47 "is considered early in the western world." Certainly it is when the average is 51 in the UK.
Check out this on the Daisy Network ( charity for women and led by a consultant at the Chelsea and Westminster.)

What I don't like is how some posters choosectheur words in such a way to make it seem that hrt is a much healthier option.

No, it's not "some posters" it is the medical profession, the experts.

The facts are that women using HRT live longer, have less illness and for women under 60, the benefits outweigh the risks.

This is on every reputable site and this is medical fact- not opinions or beliefs.

swing

here is the definition of premature and early menopause

www.daisynetwork.org/about-poi/what-is-poi/