Study Links Estrogen-Only Hormone Therapy to Reduced Alzheimer’s Risk in Postmenopausal Women
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A new study suggests estrogen-only hormone therapy may reduce Alzheimer’s risk by 30-40% in postmenopausal women, but experts warn the evidence is not yet conclusive and previous research showed increased risk with hormone use.
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- Estrogen-only hormone therapy linked to 30-40% lower signs of cognitive decline in some women.
- The study is based on postmortem analyses, not interventional trials.
- A larger past study found hormone therapy increased Alzheimer’s risk.
- Most women on hormone therapy take progesterone alongside estrogen.
- Current findings show correlation, not causation, and no broad medical recommendation.
- Experts urge caution in interpreting hormone therapy’s protective effects against dementia.
A recent study analyzing postmortem data has explored the relationship between estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia in postmenopausal women. Professor Eitan Friedman, director of the Genetic Institute for Early Detection at Assuta Ramat Hahayal, told "HaOlam HaBoker" that some women who took estrogen-only HRT showed a 30 to 40 percent reduction in signs of cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s.
However, Friedman cautioned that it is too early to establish a definitive causal link. He referenced a much larger study from about 20 years ago involving tens of thousands of American women, which found that those taking hormone therapy actually had an increased risk of Alzheimer’s. He emphasized that the current study is not interventional and specifically concerns estrogen-only therapy, while most women on HRT also take progesterone.
In summary, Friedman clarified that the findings indicate only a correlational relationship and do not constitute a broad medical recommendation to use hormone therapy for Alzheimer’s prevention.