Menopause and Cognition: A Matter of Timing?

Sociobehavioral factors and age at menopause may influence late-life cognitive performance, but studies have been limited by retrospective design and short duration. In a prospective long-term analysis involving 1315 women in a British birth cohort study, researchers investigated whether timing of menopause was associated with cognitive performance after controlling for childhood cognitive ability (assessed with standardized measures at age 8 years) and other factors (e.g., use of hormone therapy [HT]). Verbal memory and processing speed were assessed four times between age 43 and 69.

Mean age at period cessation was 49.6 (overall cohort), 51.6 (natural menopause), and 44.4 (surgical menopause). Most (64%) women had used hormone therapy (HT)…