Based on the WHIMS study, which type of hormone replacement therapy is associated with a higher risk of dementia in women over 65?

The WHIMS (Women's Health Initiative Memory Study) indicated that using combined estrogen and progesterone therapy in women over 65 is associated with a higher risk of dementia. This finding draws attention to the implications of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in older women specifically regarding cognitive health.

Combined therapy involves administering both estrogen and progesterone, which has been shown to have different effects compared to estrogen alone. The increased risk of dementia observed in this population points to the potential neurotoxic effects of the progestin component in that age group, whereas estrogen alone does not carry the same risk and may even be neuroprotective in some contexts.

This study adds a critical dimension to the decision-making process regarding the use of HRT for menopausal symptoms, underscoring the importance of evaluating individual treatment plans, particularly in older populations vulnerable to cognitive decline.