Neuroscience of sex differences
Estrogen and the female brain
#### Estrogen and the female brain

Estradiol influences cognitive function, specifically by enhancing learning and memory in a dose\-sensitive manner. Too much estrogen can have negative effects by weakening performance of learned tasks as well as hindering performance of memory tasks; this can result in females exhibiting poorer performance of such tasks when compared to males.

[Ovariectomies](/wiki/Ovariectomies "Ovariectomies"), surgeries inducing [menopause](/wiki/Menopause "Menopause"), or natural menopause cause fluctuating and decreased estrogen levels in women. This in turn can "attenuate the effects" of endogenous [opioid peptides](/wiki/Opioid_peptides "Opioid peptides"). Opioid peptides are known to play a role in emotion and motivation. The content of [β\-endorphin](/wiki/%CE%92-endorphin "Β-endorphin") (β\-EP), an endogenous opioid peptide, has been found to decrease (in varying amounts/brain region) post ovariectomy in female rats within the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and pituitary gland. Such a change in β\-EP levels could be the cause of mood swings, behavioral disturbances, and [hot flashes](/wiki/Hot_flashes "Hot flashes") in post menopausal women.


How does a decrease in β-endorphin levels affect the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and pituitary gland?