Neuroprotective effect of hormone replacement therapy: a review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Menopause is a physiological period characterized by the cessation of ovarian activity. Sequential changes during this transition affect multiple systems, including the brain. Sixty percent of women experience cognitive impairment. The objective of this review is to show the neuroprotective effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) through the different scales and whether there is a benefit of this in women. METHOD: A search was conducted in six databases. Eligibility criteria included women within 10 years of menopause, receiving HRT controlled with placebo, studies lasting more than 6 months and women without a history of chronic underlying pathology. RESULTS: A total of nine randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. Regarding memory, two studies reported better performance of HRT with a significant odds ratio (OR) of 0.67; regarding attention, one study reported potential improvement in women receiving HRT with a significant OR of 0.87; and neuroimaging assessment found an increase in ventricular volume compared to placebo over a 3-year period. CONCLUSIONS: The early initiation of menopausal HRT in healthy women appears to yield a positive effect on certain cognitive aspects, such as attention and cortical volume in the central nervous system. These findings should be confirmed through future prospective studies.

Von Willebrand Disease and Pregnancy: Management Protocol From Labor to the Postpartum Period.

Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a hemostatic disorder characterized by a quantitative or qualitative deficiency of the Von Willebrand factor (VWF). It affects males and females equally. This pathology has more severe clinical manifestations in females of reproductive age, with a mean age of diagnosis at 19 years. In the pregnant patient, Von Willebrand disease poses an increased risk of complications during labor or the postpartum period, attributed to a higher likelihood of experiencing postpartum hemorrhage and its consequential complications arising from transfusion support and multiorgan injury due to tissue hypoperfusion. We present the case of a 25-year-old G3P2V2A1 patient with a preexisting diagnosis of Von Willebrand disease prior to gestation. The institutional protocol for managing this condition involved the administration of Von Willebrand factor and factor VIII (FVIII) during vaginal delivery and the postpartum period. This resulted in the effective control of perinatal and postpartum bleeding, with an elevation in Von Willebrand factor levels, thereby avoiding the need for blood transfusions and signs of secondary hypoperfusion. This case underscores the significance of specialized management for Von Willebrand disease during pregnancy and childbirth, emphasizing adherence to institutional protocols involving specific hemostatic factors. The collaborative efforts of a multidisciplinary team, including hematologists, obstetricians, and other healthcare professionals, are crucial for the comprehensive care of females with this condition during the perinatal period.