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Although an association between estrogen and cognition is biologically plausible, the Women’s Health Initiative (Journal Watch Jul 16 2004 and Jun 13 2003) failed to show that estrogen or estrogen plus progestin, started at 65 or older, prevents cognitive impairment. Now, two studies have addressed this issue in different ways.
To determine the effect of oophorectomy on cognitive function, investigators compared 1489 women who underwent unilateral or bilateral oophorectomy before menopause (for a noncancer indication) with 1472 age-matched women who had not undergone oophorectomy. The women were followed for a median of about 25 years and were interviewed directly or via proxy by telephone. Women who underwent oophorectomy had a significantl…