Beyond Hot Flashes: The Role of Estrogen Receptors in Menopausal Mental Health and Cognitive Decline.

ABSTRACT: Menopause is a natural phase in a woman's life marked by the cessation of menstruation, typically accompanied by hormonal fluctuations that have significant impacts on physical and mental health. While much attention has been given to the physical symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and osteoporosis, the neurocognitive consequences of hormonal fluctuations during the menopausal transition and the subsequent sustained estrogen loss after menopause have received less focus. Estrogen receptors (ERs), specifically ERα and ERβ, play a critical role in maintaining brain health, influencing mood, memory, and cognition. This review explores the connection between estrogen receptor signaling and mental health during menopause, focusing on mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, as wel

SUBMITTER: Cho JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12469143 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature