Confliciting info on menopause and alzheimers..views?

[aliendancing]

Looked on line to see that there does not appear to be a concrete answer ...Anyones view be interseting..am thinking to tough it out without hrt now after reading some articles..

My MIL had dementia.
She was incredibly healthy, fit, ate all the right things, stayed active etc
Made no bloody difference.
I'd live for today. HRT makes me feel better now.

My GP explained the breast cancer risk very clearly using this info graphic to show the numbers involved, for instance explaining that my BMi (in the obese range) or someone drinking more than the limits, would be a much larger relative risk. The NHS info on the dementia study also linked below. I think choosing to tough it out is a 'how long is a piece of string' question, because meno is so variable an experience - if you get brain fog, cry or rage a lot more, can't sleep, lose confidence, struggle to work, this could be too high a cost compared to a small prevention of risk (after all, one could get breast cancer or dementia despite not taking hrt, and hrt does lower the risk of other things and also prevents bone thinning so less chances of breaks in later life). (just to illustrate my own experience - Without hrt I have 1) had phases of not being able to stop crying at work which could have been career ruining 2) forgotten to pay for my petrol and was arrested - thankfully it was accepted that it was unintentional and not a crime but this could also have impacted my professional registrations. 3) left the supermarket without paying for my shopping, luckily realised and went back 4) frequently felt fuzzy headed and not safe to drive) 5) had dips in mood and feelings of ennui 6) struggled to exercise) But for some people they might cope well with symptoms.
www.google.com/search?q=infographic+of+hrt+risks+dementia&tbm=isch&client=ms-android-google&prmd=ivn&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwil1qf43-vtAhUG-hoKHeDgAXoQBXoECAEQHA&biw=393&bih=680#imgrc=9flhVkkcf8ijeM
www.nhs.uk/news/medication/small-increase-risk-alzheimers-disease-hrt-use-study-suggests/#:~:text=oestrogen-only%20HRT%20was%20linked,95%25%20CI%201.09%20to%201.19)

Which research are you looking at @aliendancing?

Can you link to it?

Most meno experts in the UK now think HRT prevents dementia.
That's why (one reason) they prescribe HRT for women having a premature menopause.

Dementia and all forms of it occur partly because the brain 'dies' in certain areas and certain proteins are laid down in the brain which prevent it functioning properly.

HRT reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke, so it seems likely to me that it will also help oxygen levels/ blood flow to the brain.

I honestly would not worry about it.

Also, the study linked to by @ScrapThatThen is an observational study. It explains the limitations of that study on the NHS site. It's not a double-blind/ placebo trial.

Dementia is referred to as 'type 3 diabetes'. Very interesting reading about that.

From Alzheimer.org.uk
Studies looking at whether replenishing oestrogen levels using HRT can reduce women's risk of dementia have been inconclusive and contradictory. For example, some studies of women who were already using HRT during menopause found that their risk of dementia was lower than those not on HRT. However, other studies found no strong evidence for this. There is some evidence that HRT may even increase dementia risk. Clinical trials looking at the use of HRT to treat Alzheimer's disease in women, rather than prevent it, did not show any beneficial effects on cognition

It's not just as simple as that @dontdisturbmenow

Many women in the UK are using a type of HRT that was not available when these trials were done. The vast majority of trials were done when women used synthetic progestogen .

The whole situation is far more complex than these simple statements on these websites state. Meno experts spend years reading all the research and I've not come across any who have anything negative to say re HRT and dementia. (Alzheimer's is just one type of dementia- there are around 9 types in total.)

The more you look into research papers and stats, the more you will find they all conclude different things.

Most medics believe that dementia is very closely linked to lifestyle and that keeping active, not smoking, and being a healthy weight are the best means of prevention.

Clinical trials looking at the use of HRT to treat Alzheimer's disease in women, rather than prevent it, did not show any beneficial effects on cognition

HRT has never been offered as a treatment for dementia, except perhaps in some trials, because dementia can take many years to develop, so HRT can't turn back the clock once it's there in the brain.

One of the main factors with using HRT for its benefits, according to the experts, is using it early, before any damage has been done. That is why they refer to the 'window of opportunity' which means using hrt within 10 years of a final period, for best results.

@aliendancing, can you link to the evidence or discussion that has made you scared about HRT causing dementia?

Ultimately any such risk has to be small or there wouldn't be anything to debate. If living without HRT makes you miserable now then I would take my chances on getting a better quality of life now & let the future worry about itself. Is a personal choice, though.