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Ageless and OutrageousAuthor: Kristin Jackson
Welcome to "Ageless & Outrageous", the podcast where urogynecologist and hormone and sexual health expert, Dr. Kristin Jackson, shares her 25 years of expertise to guide both men and women on the path to aging amazingly. Listen as she dives into a spectrum of topics, with an emphasis on hormone optimization, pelvic floor health, and maintaining vibrant sexual experiences as we age. From exploring the intricacies of hormonal balance to discussing strategies for pelvic floor well-being, Dr. Jackson brings you real-life insights rooted in solid scientific knowledge. Get ready for a podcast that combines the wisdom of years of medical practice with an approach that's relatable and enjoyable. Tune in for a dose of laughter, knowledge, and a rejuvenated perspective on the incredible adventure of growing older. Language: en-us Genres: Education, Health & Fitness, Self-Improvement, Sexuality Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Estrogen and Alzheimer’s: What 6 Million Women Taught Us
Episode 60
Wednesday, 9 July, 2025
Let’s talk about something most doctors still aren’t saying clearly enough: estrogen matters for your brain. In this episode, I review what the research actually shows about HRT and long-term brain protection.Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of death for women over 65 in the U.S. and Australia. And it’s not just because we live longer — women are more biologically vulnerable. One major reason? Estrogen loss.Let's look at a 2023 comprehensive review of over 6 million women that looked at whether hormone therapy helps or harms brain health. Spoiler alert: timing matters. This episode is especially important for women in perimenopause or newly postmenopausal who are being told to “just wait it out.”The Alzheimer’s crisis in womenOver 2/3 of Alzheimer’s cases are womenNot just about longevity — estrogen plays a direct role in brain protectionMajor takeaways from the 2023 neuroscience meta-analysisOver 6 million women studiedCombined randomized trials + real-world dataMain finding: Timing and type of hormone therapy make all the differenceWhen hormone therapy helps protect your brainEstrogen started in midlife (around age 50) reduced Alzheimer’s risk by 32%Observational studies showed a 22% lower risk of Alzheimer’s and a 19% reduced risk of all-cause dementiaWomen on estrogen-only therapy had better cognitive outcomes than those on estrogen + synthetic progestinsLonger duration (>6 years) of HRT use = greater brain benefitWhen it may not help — or may even increase riskWomen who start hormone therapy after age 65 or well past menopause may see no benefit or increased riskThis risk mostly applies to oral estrogen and progestins (synthetic, not bioidentical)Think of it like sunscreen: starting after the damage has been done doesn’t help muchThe “Window of Opportunity” ConceptBest brain benefits come from starting HRT during perimenopause or early postmenopause (within 10 years of last period)Estrogen is neuroprotective during this transition — but less effective if cognitive decline has already startedWhy synthetic progestins fall shortStudies consistently show better brain outcomes without progestinsWe still lack data on bioidentical progesterone and brain health — more research neededBottom line: avoid synthetic versions if possibleIf you’re already over 65 — is it too late?Not necessarilyHRT may still help with other issues like bone, sleep, or quality of lifeBut brain protection may not be as significantRequires individualized risk-benefit analysisEvery woman deserves a personalized, balanced discussion about hormone therapy — not one-size-fits-all advice based on outdated studies. If you’re in your 40s or 50s, this is the time to have that conversation — not after problems start.Follow us!Instagram https://www.instagram.com/foundationskristinjacksonmd/Website https://www.foundationsfl.com/FB facebook.com/advancedurogynecology
