Estrogen-only therapy after menopause linked to reduced Alzheimer's biomarkers

• Estrogen levels decrease during menopause, and this may increase the risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
• Experts are interested in understanding how the use of menopausal hormonal therapy affects Alzheimer’s disease risk.
• One retrospective study identified that estrogen-only menopausal hormonal therapy may help to protect against outcomes related to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Menopause is the complete end of experiencing menstrual periods, and it can increase the risk for certain health problems, such as stroke. A recent study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, notes that estrogen levels drop during menopause, and that this could lead to a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

This study found that estrogen-only menopausal hormonal therapy was associated with better Alzheimer’s disease and dementia outcomes.

In the study, women who used estrogen-only menopausal hormonal therapy were less likely to show increased Alzheimer’s disease pathology, had lower chances of memory decline symptoms, and had lower chances of having a dementia diagnosis.

However, much more research is required to fully determine the possible protective impact of estrogen-only menopausal hormonal therapy.