A recent study suggests that women who experience early onset of periods and later menopause — resulting in a longer reproductive span — may enjoy healthier brain aging and a reduced risk of dementia.
The research highlights how a woman’s reproductive years could influence her brain health later in life, with a particular focus on the hormone oestradiol. The decline of oestradiol around menopause has been associated with increased vulnerability to dementia and other age-related brain conditions.
“These findings support the idea that oestradiol — the most potent estrogen during a woman’s reproductive years — may play a protective role in maintaining brain health as women age,” said lead researcher Eileen Lueders, Associate Professor at the University of Auckland’s School of Psychology.
The study opens possibilities for health interventions, such as hormone therapy, in the years around menopause to mitigate the risk of Alzheimer’s disease for some women.
Using machine learning to analyze cross-sectional and longitudinal MRI data from 1,006 postmenopausal women over approximately two years, the team found that women with earlier menarche, later menopause, and a longer reproductive span showed less brain aging.
Published in GigaScience, the study adds to growing evidence that oestradiol may help protect brain health, though Lueders notes that the effects observed were modest, and hormone levels were not directly measured. Additionally, factors like genetics, lifestyle, and overall health also influence brain aging.
Lueders hopes future research will involve more diverse participants and directly assess hormone levels to better understand how oestradiol and other variables impact women’s brain health over time.