For women past menopause, there is possibly no more frightening disease than Alzheimer’s. While there are many other undesirable conditions that elderly individuals may be at risk of developing, most of these affect the body, not the mind. Anyone who knows someone with Alzheimer’s disease has seen firsthand the rapid and debilitating changes that occur as a result.
Manhattan hormone therapy for Alzheimer’s prevention may reduce the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease, in addition to alleviating menopausal symptoms affecting your quality of life. Talk to a qualified hormone therapy doctor about how they could aid in lowering your risk of developing this condition.
Women are at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease than men, and loss of estrogen in menopause may play a role. Estrogen may protect the brain to some degree from Alzheimer’s disease—a protection which is lost when the ovaries cease producing the hormone during menopause.
When it comes to bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for Alzheimer’s disease prevention, the earlier a menopausal woman begins receiving hormones, the better. Studies have shown that starting hormone replacement therapy during early menopause may help prevent the development of Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Brain volume decreases as people age, but those experiencing cognitive issues have a faster level of decline than those who are not dealing with such problems. Fortunately, women who use hormone replacement therapy after menopause have a lower rate of cognitive decline than women who do not.
A Korean study involving nearly 4.5 million women between the ages of 40 and 84 showed a 19 percent reduction in dementia development. The study found that between two and five years of estrogen replacement therapy was the most effective duration.
Some women may be reluctant to start bioidentical estrogen hormone replacement therapy for fear of increasing their risk of breast cancer or cardiovascular disease. While standard estrogen replacement therapy does carry some of these risks, bioidentical estrogen replacement therapy is much safer.
Bioidentical estrogens, which are the same on the molecular level as the hormones produced by the body, are derived from plant sources such as soy and wild yams. Not only do bioidentical hormones not increase breast cancer or cardiovascular risk, but they may also, in fact, protect against various additional diseases besides Alzheimer’s, including osteoporosis, diabetes, and macular degeneration.
During an initial consultation, the doctor takes a complete medical history, a process which includes determining whether any relatives developed Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. They may also ask patients about other menopausal issues they are suffering from, such as hot flashes, loss of libido, vaginal dryness, and insomnia. Blood and urine tests can help identify current hormone levels.
A state-of-the-art compounding pharmacy creates the patient’s individualized bioidentical hormone regimen, and the doctor monitors the patient regularly, so they can adjust hormone amounts as needed. Because poor diet and lack of exercise may also contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease, the doctor typically provides each patient with a custom-tailored diet and exercise plan as part of a comprehensive treatment plan leading to optimal health.
If you would like to know more about Manhattan hormone therapy for Alzheimer’s prevention and the other benefits of such treatment, call the office of Dr. Edward Jacobson today and arrange a consultation. Through a private consultation in-person or over FaceTime, Skype, or telephone, Dr. Jacobson could discuss your options with you and help you select the treatment option that is right for you.