52: RANT - Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Dementia

The thing with research is that new studies tend to get passed around on social media, sensationalized, and spread like wildfire. In many cases, it's probably not something you need to be overly worried about. Today, I'm breaking down a new study that came out earlier this year, reported in the New York Times. It was about menopausal hormone therapy and dementia, and it's been kicking up a stir. I'm talking about this today as an example of how to look at these types of studies and determine what's legit in a world where seemingly contradictory research seems to be constantly popping up. In this episode, I'm highlighting the strengths and limitations of the study and discussing the need for critical analysis when interpreting research studies, the differences between bioidentical hormone replacement and synthetic progestin, how to evaluate the risks and benefits of hormone therapy, why you need to do your research and more. I hope this discussion will empower you to examine the next study you see with a critical eye. Enjoy the episode!   Highlights Why I want to talk about a new study on menopausal hormone therapy and its potential association with dementia The study parameters, including the types of hormones used, duration of use, and age of participants Results and conclusions of the study Assessing the strengths and limitations of the study The significance of considering the route of administration and dosage of hormone replacement therapy Further research needed to clarify these results Remembering to take sensationalized reports with a grain of salt Why it's challenging to compare different types of medications used in hormone replacement therapy   Mentioned in this episode New York Times Article | Do Hormone Treatments for Menopause Increase Dementia Risk? https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/10/well/live/hormone-therapy-menopause-dementia-alzheimers.html Menopausal hormone therapy and dementia: nationwide, nested case-control study https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2022-072770   This episode is sponsored by Femmenessence It's a rare occurrence to find a non-prescription supplement that becomes a go-to for hormone health and Femmenessence is just that. Whether you're pre-menopausal, menopausal, or struggling with PMS, irregular periods, or other hormone imbalances, I highly recommend giving Femmenessence a try. Visit Femmenessence.com (https://femmenessence.com/) and use code SHAWN20 for exclusive savings.   Resources Dr. Tassone's Practice https://www.drshawntassone.com/ The Hormone Balance Bible https://tassonemd.com/hormone-balance-bible/ Hormone Archetype Quiz https://tassonemd.lpages.co/hormonearchetypequiz/   Disclaimer This podcast and website represent the opinions of Dr. Shawn Tassone and his guests. The content here should not be taken as medical advice and is for informational purposes only. Because each person is so unique, please consult your health care professional for any medical questions.