Dementia

Dementia is a general term for a decline in cognitive function that interferes with daily life. It includes conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, and affects memory, reasoning, communication, and decision-making. It is more common in older adults and is influenced by both biological and lifestyle factors. Inline content unavailable

Why it matters :

Perimenopause marks a key turning point for brain health, with hormone changes during this stage may influence long-term dementia risk.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that accounts for more than half of all dementia cases in the elderly. Women comprise a disproportional two-thirds of all Alzheimer’s cases Inline content unavailable. The Alzheimer’s Society notes that the drop in estrogen around menopause may increase dementia risk, as estrogen supports brain structure and memory-related pathways.

While research is still ongoing, there is growing evidence that menopause management may be an important component of lifelong brain health. Hormone therapy (HT) started near the time of menopause may reduce dementia risk, while therapy started in later life may increase the risk Inline content unavailable.