The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) cast a dark shadow on HT therapy. However, in the opinion of Dr. Birge, there is an important bright side that has been overlooked—the role of HT on cognitive function. To find out more about the WHI and the brain, read on.
—The Editors
aOlder Adult Health Center, Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Washington University School of Medicine, USA
Stanley Birge, M.D., Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Director, Older Adult Health Center, Washington University School of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, 4488 Forest Park Avenue, Health Key Building, Suite 201, St. Louis, MO, USA 63108
☆ Women with higher levels of estrogen or lower rates of bone loss perform better on measures of cognitive function and are less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease
Analysis of a woman's lifetime risk of disease suggests that the benefits of initiating HT and continuing for 10 years outweigh the risks
Clinical trial data of WHIMS cannot be extrapolated to women initiating HT at the time of menopause
ABSTRACT