Estrogen has been found to play a significant role in cognitive function and overall brain health. Because of this, several studies looking to prevent cognitive decline bear in mind the effects caused when estrogen levels decrease during the menopause transition. An answer has recently been found in hormone therapy.
Seeing as more women get Alzheimer’s Disease than men, the chance that hormones have something to do with it makes sense. In America alone, two-thirds of the 5.5 million cases of Alzheimer’s disease are women. This significant difference points to gender-specific factors, such as estrogen. Furthermore, other studies have even suggested a role for estrogen in promoting learning and memory.
A new study tested a longer reproductive window complemented with hormone therapy, and the results suggest cognitive benefit. The research has been published in Menopause.
The Study
- Over 2,000 postmenopausal women participated.
- The researchers monitored them all over 12 years, examining the association between estrogen and cognitive decline.
- They concentrated on the duration of a woman’s exposure to estrogen.
- They took into account factors such as the number of pregnancies, duration of breastfeeding, time of menarche to menopause, and use of hormone therapy.
The Results
- A longer duration of estrogen exposure was found to be associated with better cognitive status in older adult women.
- The beneficial effects were found to be extended with the use of hormone therapy, especially in the oldest women.
- Those who started the hormone therapy earlier showed higher cognitive test scores than those who started taking hormones later.
Dr. Stephanie Faubion, NAMS medical director, said:
Although the assessment of the risk-to-benefit balance of hormone therapy use is complicated and must be individualized, this study provides additional evidence for beneficial cognitive effects of hormone therapy, particularly when initiated early after menopause. This study also underscores the potential adverse effects of early estrogen deprivation on cognitive health in the setting of premature or early menopause without adequate estrogen replacement.
In conclusion, a longer duration of estrogen exposure hormone therapy may lead to better cognition in older adult women.
