Several studies have suggested the role of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in combating Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in women. Let’s learn more details in the following article!
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Can HRT Treat Dementia in Women?
Common Signs of Dementia in Women
According to WHO, about 50 million people have dementia worldwide, and every year sees a significant amount of nearly 10 million new cases. Dementia symptoms vary as per the underlying causes. Here are some common signs and symptoms of this condition:
Cognitive Changes
- Memory loss
- Difficulty communicating or finding words
- Visual impairment
- Difficulty reasoning or problem-solving
- Confusion and disorientation, etc.
Psychological Changes
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Personality changes, etc.
Dementia is more common in women than men. Notwithstanding, whether testosterone could have significantly favorable effects on verbal learning and memory or not remains a question.
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Could Testosterone Combat Dementia in Women?
A study by Professor Susan Davis discovered that testosterone therapy might help combat cognitive decline in postmenopausal women.
Within this study’s scope, 96 female participants randomly received a testosterone gel or a visually identical placebo gel applied to the skin. They then underwent a series of cognitive tests at the beginning and end of the study (26 weeks later).
After 26 weeks, results show:
- An overall significant improvement in verbal learning and memory of the women receiving the testosterone gel.
- No adverse side-effects were observed.
Reduce Risks of Alzheimer’s Disease with Estrogen Replacement Therapy
While Alzheimer’s is a specific disease, dementia is not. Dementia covers a broader sense of declined mental ability that is severe enough to interfere with daily life. On the other hand, Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common among the numerous causes of dementia, accounting for 60–70% of dementia cases.
There are several theories proposing the association of estrogen loss (during menopause) with the risk of AD in women. Intending to shed light on this matter, a cohort study led by Anglia Paganini-Hill (Ph.D.) sought to evaluate estrogen replacement therapy’s effects on AD incidence in postmenopausal women.
Results show a significantly reduced risk of AD and related dementia among estrogen users compared with nonusers. Other details include:
- The risk of AD was reduced for both oral and nonoral (creams, injections, etc.) administration.
- The risk of AD decreased with increased dosages and duration of oral therapy with conjugated equine estrogen (the most commonly used estrogen preparation).
- Long-term users who received high doses had the lowest observed risk of AD.
Key Takeaways
- Testosterone may play a critical role in women’s cognitive function improvement, although more extensive clinical studies are needed.
- Estrogen replacement therapy may be a treatment and prevention against AD in postmenopausal women. However, further treatment trials are needed to confirm its efficacy.
YM delivers SAFE, EFFECTIVE, and CUTTING-EDGE therapies for health optimization with different services like Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), Bioidentical Hormone Pellet Therapy, Testosterone Therapy, and many more. Contact us and receive your FREE consultation session at our four offices in Florida, Ocala, Fruitland Park, and Daytona. 2020 is DONE. Let’s SLAY 2021!
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