Advertisement
Decreasing levels of estrogen affect brain function
If you’re in your 40s or 50s, you’re among so many other women who experience memory issues or “brain fog” — like a sudden inability to recall simple facts, names or dates.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
But it’s also common for some women to also fear it’s an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
If this sounds familiar, you shouldn’t worry. When you take your age into consideration, these symptoms likely don’t mean you’re also developing dementia or Alzheimer’s. Having difficulty remembering these types of things is a typical symptom of both menopause and having a baby.
According to women’s health specialist Holly L. Thacker, MD, dipping levels of estrogen from either menopause or pregnancy can affect brain function and cause these momentary lapses in recollection.
Here are some facts Dr. Thacker lays out to note the difference between having trouble remembering things due to menopause and memory problems related to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Exercising your brain is another way to stay mentally fit. If your regular daily activity or work is primarily left-brained (your brain’s left side is the thinking or logical side) then switch to doing right-brained activities (the right side of your brain is your creative center tied to the creation of music, art and imagination) — and vice versa.
For example if you work as an accountant, do something physically active or creative in your spare time. On the other hand if you spend most of your daily activity in creative work, try reading, writing or problem-solving activities or games.
“Some of the best ways to help your brain stay fit and active to counteract some of the memory fog you experience during menopause or pregnancy can also be a lot of fun,” Dr. Thacker says.
Here are some recommended activities that engage your brain to keep it sharp.
Advertisement
“The important thing is to engage and challenge both sides of your brain,” Dr. Thacker says. “Midlife can be the start of your best years yet — and you do have the ability to make sure that happens for your body and your mind.”
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
You may be more prone to hot flashes if you have anxiety, but hot flashes can also rev up anxiety
The scenarios vary based on how many pills you’ve missed and whether you take a combination pill or progestin-only pill
Despite popular opinion, scientific research shows that most birth control methods don’t contribute to weight gain
To help keep your mitts feeling and looking their best, moisturize, exfoliate, wear sunscreen and eat a healthy diet
Chair exercises can help people age 65+ retain independence
Both are needed for a healthy body
Heat starts in your chest and moves up to your neck and face … and then, the sweating begins
While they may not burn calories or cause fevers, these heat waves can make you miserable — but you don’t have to just grin and bear it!
Focus on your body’s metabolic set point by eating healthy foods, making exercise a part of your routine and reducing stress
PFAS chemicals may make life easier — but they aren’t always so easy on the human body
While there’s little risk in trying this hair care treatment, there isn’t much science to back up the claims