What Menopause Does to Your Brain

Menopause is a change of life.

Menopauseis a time when you transition from one phase of your life to the next. This change will happen physically as well as mentally. In fact, your brain will undergo significant changes throughout the process ofmenopause.

Perimenopauseis the time that it takes your body to transition from childbearing years tomenopause. Women typically experience this change at some point in their thirties or forties. The estrogen levels in the body fluctuate as estrogen production gradually declines. As a result, you might experience irregularmenstruationas well ashot flashes,insomnia, andvaginal dryness.

You may also start to experiencebrain fog. For example, you might find that you are forgetful and less focused. This brain fog can also be related to a lack ofsleep.

Many women report that this brain fog often causes difficulties with memory. This is even true for women who previously had no trouble with their memories. Keeping track of daily tasks and even basic conversation can become challenging during this time.

This often affectsshort-term memory, making tasks like math or scheduling more difficult. Women who experience memory problems like this may also experience issues with focusing or completing tasks,depression, andanxiety.

Some ways to help yourself get back to the present moment when you experience perimenopausal brain fog are:

Take a moment. Start to identify when you are feeling distracted or have brain fog. Stop what you are doing at the moment and take a few breaths. Center yourself and give yourself time to process before returning to your activity.

Exerciseregularly. Staying active not only gives you physical benefits but can also improve your mental state. For example, it has been found to increase the size of the memory processing center in your brain.

Get propersleep. Maintaining a healthy sleep schedule can help you minimize brain fog. Be sure to minimize exposure to phone and computer screens as you prepare for bed.

Use memory techniques. If you’re getting distracted and confused frequently, it can be a good idea to utilize memory techniques such as mnemonics or acronyms of things you often forget. This can help you feel grounded and give you a way to remember important things you may need in your day-to-day life.

Most of the known brain changes that occur duringperimenopauseare caused by hormonal changes. The majority of changes that happen in your brain during menopause can also occur during perimenopause.

Some of the changes that occur in your brain during perimenopause include the following:

• 反证法n ofgray matter(made mostly of neurons), impacting social awareness, memory, and cognition
• 反证法n of white matter (nerve fibers that link neurons)
• Changes in the way blood flows through your brain
• Interference with the brain’s consumption of glucose, which can cause memory and cognition issues
• Changes in the amyloid-beta deposits, which are the part of the brain most associated with Alzheimer’s disease

While these changes are evident, it has also been proven that the female brain has ways of compensating for the effects of menopause on the brain. The brain produces extra ATP (the source of energy for cells) and blood flow in the areas most affected.

Additionally, all the changes that occur during this period often reverse in the next couple of years after you get accustomed to menopause. In fact, manypostmenopausalbrain scans have revealed increased brain functioning in the areas most impacted by menopause.

更年期是自然的, and some women will experience it earlier than others. Some reasons why you may experience menopause early are as follows:

• Smoking
• A family history of early menopause
• Treatment forcancerlikechemoorradiation therapy
• Surgical removal of the uterus or ovaries