Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Cognitive Function: Does Timing Matter?

Because menopause has been linked to problems with cognition, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) has been considered in this realm for older and younger postmenopausal women. In a randomized, placebo-controlled study, researchers assessed the effects of MHT on cognition in 567 healthy women who were within 6 years of menopause (early; mean age, 55) or ≥10 years past menopause (late; mean age, 64). Participants received oral 17β-estradiol (1 mg/day) or placebo. Outcomes including verbal memory, executive function, and global cognition were assessed at baseline and after 2.5 years and 5.0 years.

Similarly modest improvements in verbal memory and global cognition were seen in both the intervention and placebo groups regardless of time since menop…