HRT’s undisclosed powers

Claim three: HRT prevents Alzheimer’s and heart disease

Headlines like “HRT prevents dementia” are circulating widely on social media, with oestrogen being framed as a protective treatment against Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular disease – not just for managing symptoms, but as a reason to stay on HRT indefinitely. What the evidence actually says is not so definitive.

The Alzheimer’s Society says research into whether oestrogen can reduce dementia risk has been mixed, with some studies suggesting a benefit and others finding the opposite.

A comprehensive review was commissioned by the World Health Organization and published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity in December 2025.

Led by a team including UK-based researchers at University College London, the review included data from more than one million participants. 

It found no significant association between menopause HRT and the risk of dementia or mild cognitive impairment.

This reinforces current clinical guidance that HRT should be guided by perceived benefits and risks – not prescribed for dementia prevention.

The key advice for pharmacy customers is that HRT can be genuinely life-changing for symptom management, and there is good evidence for bone protection in the context of early menopause.

However, the UK regulatory and clinical consensus is clear: HRT should not be presented or prescribed as a blanket anti-ageing or disease-prevention treatment.

Risks including breast cancer, stroke and thrombosis remain real and must be discussed individually with a clinician.