More evidence that estrogen is protective to brain function and hopefully inching the needle toward more acceptance of normalization of estrogen for women. The headwinds and resistance still abound when it comes to estrogen use in women. Newer studies are showing that if estrogen is started early, when the decline starts that cognitive function may be protected. It seems hard to believe that this would not be the case when the use of Lupron in young people, a drug that suppresses estrogen essentially to zero, causes severe loss of memory, anxiety, depression and lack of concentration. All these complaints are neurologic in nature. It makes sense that the decrease in estrogen over the long term would do the same and ultimately lead to complete dysfunction or alzheimer’s disease. Just more food for thought.
Michael D. Fox, MD
Jacksonville Center
Reproductive Medicine