Longer Reproductive Years Linked to Healthier Brain Ageing in Women: Study
New Delhi: The more years a woman spends in her reproductive phase, the better her brain may age later in life.
A new study published in the journal GigaScience suggests that the number of years between a woman's first period and menopause could be linked to how her brain functions as she grows older.
Researchers studied brain scans from over 1,000 postmenopausal women. They found that women who started their periods earlier, went through menopause later, or had more years between the two showed signs of slower brain aging.
"These findings support the idea that estradiol, the most potent and prevalent form of estrogen during a woman's reproductive years, may help protect the brain as it ages," said lead researcher Associate Professor Eileen Luders from the University of Auckland's School of Psychology.
Estradiol levels rise at puberty, stay high through most of a woman's reproductive years, and drop sharply at menopause. This drop has been linked to a higher risk of dementia and other age-related brain problems. Previous studies on animals have shown that estradiol can support brain health by improving communication between brain cells, reducing inflammation, and supporting brain flexibility.
The new study adds to the growing evidence, but Luders cautions that the effects found were small, and hormone levels were not directly measured. Other factors like genetics, lifestyle, and overall health also play a role in how the brain ages.
The study was done with researchers Professor Christian Gaser, Dr. Claudia Bath, and Professor Inger Sundström Poromaa from Germany, Norway, and Sweden. The brain scan data came from the UK Biobank, which mainly includes healthy, wealthy, and white individuals.
Luders hopes future research will include more diverse participants and measure hormone levels directly. This could give a clearer picture of how estradiol and other factors affect women's brain health.
"It's encouraging to see research shedding light on how a woman's reproductive years may shape brain health later in life," said Alicja Nowacka, a Ph.D. student at the University of Auckland.
"As more women weigh the benefits of hormone therapy during menopause, findings like these spark important conversations and open the door to more inclusive, focused research in women's brain health."
Nowacka was not part of the study but has supported women making treatment decisions, often when faced with conflicting medical advice.