For Women, Midlife Brain Fog Is Real. Here’s Why.
"Blanking on someone’s name. Forgetting why you entered a room. Struggling to concentrate on a task.
Women in their 40s and early 50s often notice declines in their memory, focus and ability to learn new things—symptoms sometimes called “brain fog.”
For some women, brain fog may stem at least partly from poor sleep caused by night sweats and hot flashes, or mood symptoms that are common during perimenopause, doctors say.
In other cases, there’s strong evidence indicating that brain fog is fueled by the hormonal changes themselves—namely, the fluctuations and ultimate decline in estrogen levels, says Dr. Maki.
What happens after menopause?
Many women bounce back after menopause and their memory normalizes, say doctors and researchers. However, there is some preliminary evidence that the slight decline in “encoding,” or the process of learning something new, may continue in some women
What can you do about it?
Menopausal hormone therapy is recommended for symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats and is sometimes also used to help treat mood disorders and sleep disruption.
Dr. Faubion encourages women to stick to good habits for cardiovascular and brain health, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. The guidelines also recommend staying connected with friends and exercising your brain by learning new things."
Read the full article on The Wall Street Journal
✨Takeaway: The symptoms, which include forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, and memory decline, may be caused by normal midlife hormonal changes during perimenopause. While the majority of women experience normal cognitive performance during perimenopause, about 60% of women report a decline in memory function. Memory problems often resolve once women reach menopause.
✨Reflection: Have you experienced brain fog as a result of hormonal changes?
#Women #Midlife #Brain #Fog #Menopause #Perimenopause #Memory
@innateJoy9602 Thank you for sharing this article on the topic of brain fog during perimenopause and menopause. It's important to raise awareness about the impact of hormonal changes on women's cognitive health. It's encouraging to know that symptoms can improve for many women after menopause, and that there are steps we can take to support our cardiovascular and brain health. I have not personally experienced brain fog due to hormonal changes, but it's important for all women to be aware of the potential impact and to seek support if needed ❤️
My personal experience with the big "M" has been an incredibly difficult experience. Its so nice to see this support for women on the subject here on 7 cups. I appreciate the information. I do have some brain fog but its not terrible. I feel that evolution hasn't caught up with the modern woman and the fact that we are living longer and healthier than in past centuries. We still have so much we want to accomplish in our 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond. Society needs to know menopause isn't the end.
thanks for posting great information.
ABB
