Unsplash, CC BY Is there a link with Alzheimer’s disease?Īlzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and being female is a risk factor. More research is needed to determine if lifestyle changes could buffer cognitive problems related to menopause. However, menopause related depressive and anxiety symptoms, sleep disturbance and vasomotor symptoms may make cognitive symptoms worse. ![]() This means other menopausal symptoms are not responsible for cognitive symptoms. The fluctuations and eventual loss of estradiol has been suggested to contribute to cognitive difficulties.Ĭognitive symptoms can occur in the absence of other menopausal symptoms. Hormones produced by the ovaries, estradiol (a type of estrogen) and progesterone, are potent brain chemicals that are thought to protect the brain and enhance thinking and memory. Rather, fluctuating and eventual decline of ovarian hormone production associated with menopause is likely to play a key role. Menopause related cognitive changes are not just age-related cognitive decline. “Brain fog” is not a medical or psychological term, but a lay term that aptly describes the fogginess in thought experienced by many women during menopause. The retention of menopausal female workers is important, for women themselves, but also to ensure we continue to strive for workforce diversity within our modern workforce.īalancing work and fertility isn't easy – but reproductive leave can help Research suggests menopause symptoms can adversely affect work productivity and work satisfaction.Ĭontributing factors include poor concentration and poor memory. ![]() There is growing interest in the impact of menopausal symptoms in the workplace. Women might be hitting their professional peak just as menopause affects their cognition. For many women, menopause coincides with the prime of their productive lives, when the load of caring for young children has eased and they’ve garnered experience and seniority in the workplace. While the degree of cognitive decline is subtle and performance generally remains within the normal limits of functioning, the symptoms can be bothersome for the individual. As discussed in our recent review, these “subjective cognitive difficulties” appear to be linked to performance on tests of memory, recall and processing.ĭifficulties on tests of verbal memory (learning and remembering information new words you have heard), verbal fluency (quickly retrieving words from your memory) and attention are seen in perimenopausal women. Some describe difficulties with concentrating or making decisions. Women describe difficulties remembering people’s names or finding the right word in conversation. Just over 60% of women report cognitive difficulties during their menopause transition. The symptoms of menopause, which can include vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats), vaginal dryness, sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety and “brain fog” can span perimenopause and last for up to ten years. ![]() The change from reproductive to postmenopausal years, referred to as “perimenopause” usually lasts four to ten years.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |