A new study suggests that women who experience more severe menopausal symptoms may be at a higher risk of developing cognitive impairments and mild behavioral changes, both of which are early indicators of dementia. The research, led by Zahinoor Ismail from the University of Calgary and published in the journal PLOS One on March 5, 2025, analyzed data from 896 postmenopausal women.
The study adds to growing evidence that women face a significantly higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias compared to men, with females being three times more likely to develop these conditions. One factor that may contribute to this increased risk is the loss of estradiol during menopause, which could potentially accelerate cognitive decline.
The researchers utilized data from the Canadian Platform for Research Online to Investigate Health, Quality of Life, Cognition, Behaviour, Function, and Caregiving in Aging (CAN-PROTECT) study. The 896 participants, with an average age of 64.2, were all postmenopausal and had completed cognitive and behavioral assessments. On average, the participants had reached menopause at age 49.4.
To assess the impact of menopausal symptoms, the researchers compiled a list of perimenopausal symptoms including irregular periods, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, sleep disturbances, weight gain, and mood swings, among others. They found that women who reported more severe symptoms tended to exhibit greater cognitive impairment, as indicated by higher ECog-II total scores. Additionally, these women also showed more behavioral symptoms in mid- to late life, with elevated MBI-C total scores.
Although hormone therapy did not appear to have a significant impact on cognitive function, it was associated with a reduction in behavioral symptoms. This finding suggests that estrogen-based treatments may help mitigate some of the behavioral effects linked to menopause.
The authors of the study concluded that a higher burden of menopausal symptoms could signal a higher likelihood of cognitive and behavioral decline later in life. However, they emphasize that further research is necessary to confirm these findings, particularly through larger studies with longitudinal data that could establish causality. The study also suggests that future research should account for other risk factors, such as the age at which menopause occurs or interventions like surgical menopause.
In summary, the study highlights the potential connection between menopausal symptoms and long-term cognitive and behavioral health. It also suggests that hormone therapy may offer some benefit, particularly in reducing behavioral symptoms that are precursors to dementia.
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