Study: Estrogen Improves Memory, Oral Reading Abiliity in Postmenopausal Women

Postmenopausal women who receive daily doses of estrogen appear to have improved short-term memory and oral reading performance, according to a study reported in the September issue of the journal Menopause.

Lead researcher Dr. Sally Shaywitz, professor of pediatrics at Yale University, said the study should encourage physicians to ask such women about any memory loss and reading deficiency they may be experiencing and to take any concerns seriously.

The study involved 60 postmenopausal women between the ages of 32 and 64 who were evaluated for oral reading, verbal memory and other cognitive skills. The women were treated for two 21-day periods with either estrogen or a placebo. Shaywitz and her colleagues found that estrogen exerted positive effects on oral reading and verbal memory.

"This should encourage a new line of investigation seeking to better understand estrogen's actions on reading and memory," Shaywitz said.

Other sources: Yale University