Study Reveals Menopause's Impact on Brain Health and the Role of HRT
A recent study has explored the effects of menopause on brain health, cognition, and mental health, highlighting significant findings related to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The research, which analyzed data from nearly 125,000 women in the UK Biobank, found that menopause is associated with poorer sleep, increased mental health issues, and changes in brain structure. Post-menopausal women reported higher rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances compared to pre-menopausal women. Brain imaging revealed reductions in grey matter volume, particularly in areas critical for learning, memory, and emotional regulation. The study also examined the impact of HRT, noting that while it did not prevent grey matter reduction, it appeared to slow declines in psychomotor speed. However, women using HRT showed higher levels of anxiety and depression, potentially due to pre-existing conditions rather than the therapy itself. 
