Objective:

To assess the effects of estriol-based hormone treatment on cognitive symptoms in menopausal women.

Approach:

• Study Design: A case series involving 20 menopausal women with a mean age of 53.5 years, treated with oral estriol for 12 months.
• Treatment Details: Participants received daily doses of estriol (2 mg, 4 mg, or 8 mg) and progesterone as needed.
• Cognitive Assessment: Cognitive symptoms were evaluated at baseline and after 12 months using the Voskuhl Menopause Brain Fog Assessment.

Key Findings:

• Statistically significant improvements were observed across all six cognitive domains assessed based on self-reported symptoms.
• Subgroup analyses showed improvements regardless of age, education, recent estradiol use, or estriol dose.
• Preclinical studies in mice indicated that estriol treatment reduced cognitive deficits and glial activation.

Interpretation:

The study suggests potential cognitive benefits of estriol treatment in menopausal women, but findings should be interpreted with caution due to the study's limitations.

Limitations:

• Small sample size of only 20 women.
• Lack of randomization and comparison group.
• Cognitive changes measured through self-reported symptoms rather than objective testing.

Conclusion:

Further investigation into estriol-based treatment for cognitive symptoms of menopause is warranted.

Sources:

• Scientific Reports