Two September studies found that hormone therapy was associated with improvements in cognitive complaints and mood symptoms among women experiencing menopause, but the findings came from small or observational groups and do not establish that treatment caused the changes.
In one case series, 20 menopausal women with an average age of 53. 5 received individualized estriol and progesterone regimens for 12 months. Participants reported significant improvements in brain fog, concentration, working memory, processing speed, verbal memory and problem-solving. The study had no placebo group and did not randomize treatment or dosage.
A separate retrospective study examined 260 hormone-therapy-naive patients treated at an academic menopause center between 2023 and 2025. They completed the Menopause Rating Scale before starting systemic hormone therapy for approved indications and again after an average follow-up of 4. 5 months. Most received transdermal estradiol, 51% had a history of anxiety or depression, and 24% were taking antidepressants at baseline.
Psychological scores covering depressed mood, irritability, anxiety and mental exhaustion declined during follow-up. The share of patients with severe mood symptoms fell from 62. 3% to 24. 6%, with the largest improvement among those who had the most severe symptoms initially. The pattern did not differ by age, menopause stage, psychiatric history or antidepressant use, but the retrospective design and lack of an untreated comparison group mean the results show an association rather than proof of a treatment effect.
It also found no significant differences when results were examined by treatment timing, duration or type, supporting use of hormone therapy decisions based on established benefits and risks rather than dementia prevention.