RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To explore the memory quotient and hormone level in women with perimenopausal syndrome and healthy women in perimenopausal period, and the effect of estrogen and Chinese nourishing Kidney herbs (CNKH) on memory. METHODS: Fifty-six women of perimenopausal syndrome were treated with estrogen (n = 24) and CNKH (n = 32) respectively. The changes of memory and estrogen level before and after treatment were determined and compared with those in healthy women. RESULTS: The memory quotient (MQ) and estrogen level increased and follicule-stimulating hormone (FSH) level decreased significantly after treatment in both groups (P < 0.01), these parameters approached to those in healthy women. The difference of therapeutic effect between the two treated group was insignificant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The decrease of memory is related to the lowering of estrogen level, CNKH could improve the brain function and enhance memory.