Following surgical menopause, which aspect of cognition can be immediately affected?

Following surgical menopause, memory for verbal information can be immediately affected due to the abrupt loss of ovarian hormones, particularly estrogen, which plays a significant role in cognitive function. Estrogen has been shown to influence various cognitive processes, including verbal memory. The rapid cessation of hormone production after surgical menopause can lead to cognitive changes such as difficulty in recalling verbal information and language fluency.

This effect is often observed in women who experience sudden hormonal changes, where the brain's neurocognitive functions may temporarily decline, particularly those associated with processing and retaining verbal information. In contrast to the choices regarding overall intelligence, spatial awareness, and focus and attention, which might experience changes over time or due to other variables, the impact on memory for verbal information can be more immediate and pronounced following the sudden hormonal shift.