There is “no evidence” drugs used to treat menopausal women either increases and slashes the risk of dementia, researchers have said.
A study conducted by University College London, with support from the University of Exeter, reviewed whether hormone therapy – also known as hormone replacement therapy or HRT – impacted the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
The findings, which were part of a larger review commissioned by the World Health Organisation, suggested there was “no significant association” between HRT and the risk of MCI, which causes problems with a person’s memory or thinking.
Experts said while more research was needed, the findings “reinforce current clinical guidance”.
Prof Chris Fox from the University of Exeter Medical School said: “The role of menopause hormone treatment and relationship to dementia is a worry for many women.
“But our state-of-the-art review indicates there is no evidence that menopause hormone treatment reduces or increases the risk of dementia.
“When deciding whether to take menopause hormone treatment, reducing one’s risk of dementia should not be part of that decision.”
The research, which has been published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity journal, comprised of 10 studies from teams across the world with data taken from more than one million women.
