Issue 160  /  September 1, 2026  /  7 min read

HRT use linked to 26 percent lower dementia risk in large UK study

Plus: Jersey launches pilot PMOS clinic, Women's Health Horizons expands advisory board to 50 members, and 15,000 UK childbirth-related PTSD cases go undetected annually.

Hormone replacement therapy users had a 26 percent lower risk of developing any type of dementia in a large UK study involving more than 180,000 postmenopausal women, offering new data for clinicians evaluating HRT options. These research findings, alongside new initiatives like Jersey's pilot PMOS health check clinic for women and Women's Health Horizons expanding its global Advisory Board to more than 50 members, illustrate the continued evolution of women’s health intelligence and clinical care. Five takes inside, plus a quick-hits roundup.

— The Luteal
In Today's Brief
Deals & Funding
VIA FemTech World

Jersey PMOS clinic a ‘good start’

Jersey launches a pilot PMOS health check clinic at the Assisted Reproductive Unit, providing health checks rather than diagnosing or treating the condition. Operating from October, the clinic requires a GP referral for women with PMOS. The government health system will offer investigations, including ultrasound scans and endometrial biopsies, during the same visit. This initiative aligns with draft guidance from the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which advises annual PMOS checks.

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— The Luteal Editorial Team
Clinical & Research
VIA FemTech World

Thousands of UK women develop undiagnosed PTSD after childbirth each year – study

Between 5% and 5.9% of women giving birth develop PTSD. Researchers estimate at least 15,000 cases of childbirth-related PTSD go undetected annually in the UK, potentially double that figure. GPs often mistake childbirth-related PTSD for postnatal depression during NHS six-week postnatal checks, leading to inappropriate treatment. This overlooked condition increases suicide risk and impacts families, signaling a critical need for improved screening and diagnostic tools for maternal mental health in the UK.

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— The Luteal Editorial Team
VIA FemTech World

HRT linked to lower dementia risk, large UK study finds

A large UK study involving more than 180,000 postmenopausal women found hormone replacement therapy (HRT) users had a 26 percent lower risk of developing any type of dementia. Women who started HRT between ages 46 and 56 saw the greatest reduction in dementia risk, supporting the "critical window" hypothesis. This finding suggests HRT may offer long-term cognitive health benefits for some women, particularly those with naturally lower lifetime estrogen exposure or carrying the APOE4 gene variant. Femtech operators and clinicians may consider these benefits when evaluating HRT options for women in this age range.

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— The Luteal Editorial Team
Analysis
VIA FutureFemHealth

One year on: Jason Clark on what Women’s Health Horizons has learned — and what the sector needs next

Women's Health Horizons (WHH) expanded its global Advisory Board to more than 50 members and convened over 2,500 delegates across events in Boston, Copenhagen, London, New York, and Berlin. Founder and CEO Jason Clark now prepares for upcoming summits in San Francisco on September 1, London on September 22, and Washington, D.C. on October 7. WHH also launched WHH PRO, a year-round professional platform with full membership priced at €99 per year, expanding its offerings beyond events. This development provides a new networking and intelligence resource for femtech operators, clinicians, and investors.

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— The Luteal Editorial Team
Quick Hits