Early menopause ‘may make women more likely to develop dementia’

US researchers also find that starting HRT around the time of diagnosis may reduce risk

Women who enter the menopause early may be more likely to develop dementia, according to US researchers, who found that starting hormone replacement therapy around the time of diagnosis appeared to remove the risk.

The findings are tentative, and need to be confirmed by larger studies, but suggest that starting hormone therapy soon after the first symptoms occur may be better for brain health as well as reducing heart disease and other medical issues linked to the menopause.