Menopausal hormone therapy and Alzheimer’s disease: A literature review

Abstract

This paper presents a review of the current literature on the possible relationship between menopausal hormone therapy and Alzheimer’s disease. Increasing life expectancy in modern society is steadily leading to health problems in older women. Approximately 46.8 million people worldwide currently have cognitive disorders, and 2/3 of them are women. At the age of ≥65 years, every sixth woman and every eleventh man experience a form of higher nervous system pathologies. Older people are most often diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It is a neurodegenerative disease that leads to problems with memory and cognitive functions and is characterized by changes in behavior and social-adaptive position of a person in society.

One theory states that dementia is caused by changes in the endocrine status during menopause, particularly a decrease in estrogen levels. Currently, hormonal drugs are being considered a way to reduce the risk of neurological disorders. The possibility of preventing dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, has long been of interest to leading experts in this field. The prevention of these diseases and prolongation of active longevity are becoming more relevant than ever. The relationship between menopausal hormone therapy and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease is receiving increasing attention.

Keywords

dementia / Alzheimer’s disease / cognitive disorders / menopause / estrogens / phytoestrogens / oophorectomy / hormonal therapy

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