short-term hormone therapy has no cognitive impact

Hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness… hormone replacement therapy helps alleviate the symptoms of menopause. However, some women are hesitant to take this treatment for fear of side effects.

A study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, published in the journal PLOS Medicineis intended to be reassuring. She ensures that short-term hormonal therapy does not have a negative impact on the cognitive abilities of women undergoing treatment at the start of their menopause.

Menopause and HRT: no impact on short-term cognitive abilities

To assess the risks of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) at the start of menopause, researchers brought together 727 recently menopausal women with good heart health. They were randomly divided into 3 groups. One was prescribed oral hormone replacement therapy, another by injection while the last received a placebo.

The participants subsequently underwent various physiological and cognitive examinations. Follow-up lasted 4 years.

The team analyzed all the data obtained. “After four years, no cognitive benefit or harm was observed in those who received the treatment compared to the placebo group”note the authors in their press release.

Hormone therapy: encouraging results also 10 years later

To ensure there was no effect on cognitive abilities afterward, the researchers re-examined the volunteers almost 10 years later. 275 women agreed to participate again in the study.

Result: Although short-term hormone therapy failed to protect against cognitive decline, it did not “no longer had any negative long-term cognitive impact”.

While the team recognizes that additional research is needed, in particular to verify the impact of the treatment on women at cardiovascular risk, it considers that these results are reassuring.