Not Just Menopause Symptoms: The Treatment That May Protect Women's Brains

A new study published in the journal Neurology found that women who took birth control pills and underwent hormone therapy during menopause showed a lower risk of damage to small blood vessels in the brain. The study, which included brain scans of 352 Swedish women, showed that women who took both birth control pills and hormone therapy for menopause had fewer signs of damage to tiny blood vessels in the brain, and their white matter was in a healthier condition. The strongest association was observed among women who underwent hormone therapy around menopause. The researchers hypothesize that the hormone estrogen plays a role in protecting blood vessels and brain tissue. However, the researchers emphasize that this is an observational study, so it can indicate a statistical association only, but cannot prove that the hormones protected the brain. Additionally, no overall association was found between hormone use and measures directly related to Alzheimer's disease.