Menopause can cause forgetfulness and memory problems. This is due to the hormonal changes that occur during menopause. Estrogen helps to protect the brain and keep it healthy, but during menopause, estrogen levels decline. This can lead to problems with memory and concentration.
There are some things you can do to help improve your memory during menopause. Getting regular exercise and eating a healthy diet are both important.
What Happens To Women’s Brains Through The Transition Into Menopause?
As a woman approaches menopause, her estrogen levels start to decline. This can lead to changes in her brain chemistry and structure. Estrogen plays a role in protecting the brain from damage, so when levels start to drop, women may be at increased risk for cognitive decline and dementia. Additionally, menopause can cause changes in mood and energy levels, which can impact a woman’s quality of life.
There are some simple healthy lifestyle changes that you can make to help improve your memory during menopause.
- Drink to your health – Two glasses of red wine a week is excellent for memory loss because it has resveratrol. Resveratrol[1] is known to keep free radicals from damaging your brain cells. Don’t go overboard with the red wine, though, because you might experience the reverse effects.
- Go with Ginkgo Biloba – Ginkgo is the oldest surviving tree on earth, a healing herb known to help with conditions associated with aging, such as heart disease, stroke, memory loss, and blindness. Ginkgo can increase blood flow to the brain, improving alertness and memory. Supplements, such as Neuro Q contains this ingredient. A study in the Journal of Urology[2] showed was able to help relieve impotence in men caused by narrowing of the arteries that supplied blood to that area. Imagine what it can do for the brain!
- Play mind games – If you have brain fog, and you find it hard to remember stuff, you can keep your mind active by teaching it again to remember, according to Health Web Magazine. As the body needs exercise to keep active, the brain needs exercise too to keep it active. Crossword puzzles, Scrabble, and other word games can keep your brain stimulated. Constant watching of TV doesn’t stimulate the brain. It can be detrimental to your brain health.
- Keep stress at bay – A stressful life often hits menopausal women, sometimes when they least expect it. The stress of perhaps retiring from their jobs, empty nest syndrome, and caring for older parents can play havoc with women in their midlife, contributing to memory loss. When you are under stress, the body releases the cortisol hormone. Brain researchers believe that the constant production of cortisol can even damage the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning. Start taking natural supplements, like NeuroQ, to keep you on top of your game.
The Bottom Line
Some research has shown that there is a link between declining estrogen levels and memory loss. Estrogen plays a role in protecting the brain from damage, and when levels of this hormone drop, it can lead to changes in the brain that can affect memory. However, not all research agrees on this point, and more studies are needed to confirm the connection between estrogen and memory loss.
