Menopause and Memory

The study followed over two thousand women aged between 49 and 61, with examinations conducted over four years. Scientists concluded that women who received hormone replacement therapy before the cessation of menstruation benefited cognitively. In contrast, hormone replacement initiated after the cessation of menstruation led to a decline in cognitive test performance.

The reason for frequent memory complaints during menopausal transition is that the reduction or fluctuation of estrogen levels can hinder full brain function.

"Certain brain regions are rich in estrogen receptors, areas strongly linked to memory, such as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex," explains neurologist Ricardo Teixeira, director of the Brain Institute of Brasília (ICB).

Furthermore, experimental studies reveal that estrogen can elevate neurotransmitter levels and also promote neuronal growth and the formation of connections between neurons.

The study suggests that estrogen replacement may be beneficial for brain performance during the menopausal transition phase, and this positive effect does not appear to be sustained after the transition period. "This is further evidence that the benefits of prolonged hormone replacement therapy cannot outweigh the risks," says the neurologist.

"The good news is that these effects appear to be limited, as women returned to the same cognitive performance levels they had in the pre-menopausal period after completing the transition," adds Teixeira.

Read more about hormonal treatment in PREVENTIVE MEDICINE TREATMENTS

This content is part of Clínica Revitalize's commitment to translating science into accessible clinical practice — without losing rigor or depth.