Hrt linked to dementia

[Ninaguineapig]

I thought it was supposed to prevent it.

amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/06/28/health/hrt-dementia-risk-wellness/index.html

Gut feelings aren't science though.

@JinglingSpringbells

But they say trust your gut

For balance, Kate Muir (Times writer and author of a book on menopause) has just Tweeted that in the US there is a larger study on women using the newest forms of HRT which shows a 73% decrease in dementia.

Who does?

Not scientists!

That's the Relationships board!

The only thing that none of them really did was exercise
Based on my own understanding of things I think this has to do with the way exercise improves insulin sensitivity.

Could it be that the short-term memory issues are linked to 'reduced cognitive reserve ' which leaves you more vulnerable to decline when you're older?

This is from the research paper.

The Danish prescription registry provided complete data for redeemed prescriptions of menopausal hormone therapy from the year of 1995, therefore, we included only women aged 50-60 years in 2000.

The type of HRT used was almost 30 years ago (1995) or 23 years from 2000.

It contained Norethisterone and was tablet form.

I have found Peter Attia's work helpful on this subject, here's a link to his podcast if anyone is interested
peterattiamd.com/podcast/archive/

Yes possibly- there is something… I can’t put my finger on it. You can almost see the genetic link passed down when people are in their 30’s / 40’s and 50’s- something is slightly different about the processing speed and short term memory. It’s something that in the future with new science that I’m sure will become obvious. Extremely frustrating and sad that nothing can really be done to stop it yet.

It’s interesting. It seems that some people dismiss any negative findings associated with HRT as they want to believe it isn’t harmful. My GP said there’s no evidence it prevents dementia & this is worrying.

Every single drug seems to have side effects, but some people, like me, think the risks are far outweighed by the benefits.

The beauty of HRT is that it is not compulsory to take it - everyone makes that decision based on their own circumstances and perception of risk.

Are you worried about your GP saying it does not prevent dementia? If so, why?

I do not use HRT for prevention of dementia.

Then again there are lots of examples of very clever and accomplished people who had dementia;Terry pratchett, iris Murdoch, Margaret Thatcher

Why on earth is it "worrying" that medication taken for menopause symptoms doesn't prevent something else altogether?

Does your GP also warn you that its "worrying" that the antibiotics for your chest infection are not proven to prevent dementia? Or that insulin isn't proven to prevent dementia?

Or perhaps I should avoid paracetamol for a headache as it doesn't also prevent dementia.

I take HRT as my life was becoming unbearable with terrible sleep, night sweats, brain fog and increased anxiety. I have never considered that HRT would decrease my likelihood of developing dementia.

I am interested if I develop dementia or breast cancer because I have avoided hormones. I could be a good candidate for a study.

Ignoring the fact that the older types of HRT were used, there are comments from a doctor today (in The Times) that the women who did go on to develop dementia may have had it already.

some of their meno symptoms (like insomnia, forgetfulness, flushes) may have already been unrecognised early symptoms of dementia OR be in some way connected with the development of dementia. So looking at it another way, HRT may have been requested by those women to treat (undiagnosed) dementia.

Dementia is now the biggest cause of death in women, regardless of HRT or not.
Lifestyle is thought to be one of the key factors in prevention (exercise being good) because the brain relies on oxygen for its health. Exercise improves the circulation. In vascular dementia, the brain is harmed by damage or deterioration to the blood vessels in the same way that the heart can be damaged through furred up arteries.

@LegendsBeyond Does your GP tell you that it can prevent osteoporosis, heart disease, reduces bowel cancer and diabetes?

@PurpleWisteria1 definitely don't agree with that
I'm 38 with a genetic history of dementia
I read a novel in an hour, and my brain works faster than anyone else I know, writing is really messy as I can't write as fast as I think!
My mum was also a fast reader and very sharp/sarcastic

@ my mum is 76 and have none of the ailments you listed. She never took hormonal contraception or hrt. No dementia either.

@JinglingSpringbells

But surely sarcasm is the lowest form of wit👀

I hope you do not develop dementia or breast cancer, but I am not sure it will be because you have avoided hormones. Not sure how anyone could avoid hormones to be honest.

@Pearlsaminga that was her favourite quote "and the lowest form of vulgarity"
She even did puzzles daily as she had heard it was good for brain function
Diagnosed 2017 age 66 and died 2022

As a woman it's extremely unlikely that you've "avoided hormones". Every month with or without conceiving swings your hormones wildly. How many babies did you have, and how long did you breast feed them for? That's the hormonal intervention that really sways your breast cancer risk.