Alzheimer’s and dementia affect millions, and women are at a notably higher risk than men. Emerging research highlights that hormone therapy, particularly bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), may offer significant benefits in protecting women’s brains as they age.1
Pellecome, founded by hormone therapy expert Dr. Enrique G. Jacome, specializes in bio-identical hormone replacement. These are administered by doctors across the nation as hormone pellets that mirror the body’s natural hormones. With Pellecome’s high-quality BHRT, women have a unique option for hormone therapy that supports both brain and body health.
How Estrogen Supports the Brain
Hormones, especially estrogen, help keep our brains sharp and functional. Estrogen acts as a “master regulator” in the brain, keeping it energized and adaptable. It’s also vital for our brain’s energy supply so our brain cells to function at their best.1 Additionally, estrogen helps our brain create the chemicals that regulate mood, sleep, and memory.
As women approach menopause, however, estrogen levels begin to fall, which can impact these critical brain functions. Hormone therapy is one option to rebalance our hormones so we can stay healthy for longer.
Timing Is Key: When Hormone Therapy Works Best
The timing of hormone therapy makes all the difference. Women who start hormone therapy early in menopause, typically in their 40s or 50s, will see the most benefit. Studies from Weill Cornell Medicine show that starting HRT in that age range may reduce the risk of dementia by nearly a third.1
For women who wait until after 65 or start therapy more than 10 years post-menopause, the protective effect appears to lessen.1 How you time out your HRT may be essential to get long-term benefits for the brain, which your doctor should be able to help you determine.
Some people have a gene linked to higher dementia risk, and this gene seems to respond well to HRT started early in menopause.2 In women with this particular gene, early HRT was associated with better memory and larger brain regions important for memory, like the hippocampus and amygdala. Larger brain volumes in these areas are beneficial since they’re often affected early in Alzheimer’s.2
Types of Hormone Therapy Matter
Not all hormone therapies are the same. BHRT, which Pellecome specializes in, uses hormones identical to those naturally produced by the body. This type of therapy may reduce the side effects often seen with synthetic hormones, like mood swings, headaches, sleep problems, and digestive issues.
Estrogen-only therapy is typically recommended for women who have had a hysterectomy, while estrogen-progesterone therapy is best for those who haven’t.1 Pellecome’s bio-identical hormone pellets are a safe option to maintain your hormone levels.
A Proactive Choice for Women’s Brain Health
Women at higher genetic risk of dementia can benefit from the brain-supportive effects of HRT, which helps keep those memory-related areas of the brain larger and healthier.2
If you’re considering hormone therapy, use our Provider Locator tool to find a trusted provider near you.
- LaMotte S. Sweet spot for HRT may reduce dementia risk by nearly a third, study says. CNN [Internet]. 2023 Nov 2 [cited 2024 Oct 31]; Available from: https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/02/health/hormone-replacement-dementia-wellness/index.html
- Shao H, Breitner JCS, Whitmer RA, Wang J, Hayden K, Wengreen H, et al. Hormone therapy and Alzheimer disease dementia: new findings from the Cache County Study. Neurology [Internet]. 2012;79(18):1846–52. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0b013e318271f823
