Dementia Support Line
Fewer reproductive years in women linked to an increased risk of dementia - Alzheimer's Society comment
A new study published in Neurology suggests that women who start their period later, go through menopause earlier or have a hysterectomy may have a greater risk of developing dementia.
The study found a link between increased risk of dementia and fewer total reproductive years when women are exposed to higher levels of estrogen hormones.
Fiona Carragher, Chief Policy and Research Officer at Alzheimer’s Society, said:
'Of the 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK, 65% are women, but we still haven’t got a clear picture as to why there’s an imbalance. It’s impossible to draw a direct connection between fewer reproductive years and heightened dementia risk from this study, but the findings do add support to evidence we have so far.
'Previous studies suggest levels of the female hormone oestrogen throughout women’s lives may be connected with dementia risk, but results have been conflicting and this study doesn’t take into account the impact of pregnancies, hormone replacement therapies, birth control or genetics.
'Finding answers as to why women are at greater risk of dementia must be prioritised, and while scientists at the UK Dementia Research Institute, supported by Alzheimer’s Society, are breathing new life into understanding this complex issue, prevention continues to be key. With someone developing dementia every three minutes in the UK, improving lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and stopping smoking, can reduce dementia risk.'
