It's not uncommon to forget a few items at the grocery store or misplace your car keys. It is more unsettling when memory lapses occur more frequently or when they are accompanied by confusion or disorientation. Forgetfulness and changes in mental function occur not only as part of the aging process, but they are also symptoms of menopause and can be treated.
Menopause and Memory
Menopause marks the time in a woman's life when her ovaries stop producing estrogen. Fluctuating hormone levels create the common symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, mood swings and memory lapses, according to neurologist Gayatri Devi, director of the New York Memory and Healthy Aging Services. Cognitive changes are common during menopause, Devi says, and are not a sign of Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia. Menopause-associated cognitive changes are characterized by forgetfulness, loss of concentration and memory loss, Devi notes.
Memory
Memory consists of three stages called registration, retention and recall, explains M.T. Williams, a clinical psychologist and consultant to the website Epigee. Short-term memory stores small amounts of information for brief periods whereas long-term memory stores facts, data necessary for daily living (for example, job duties) and memories. Lapses in short-term memory are common and unrelated to menopause, Williams says. Women experiencing menopause-associated memory loss tend to have difficulty recalling specific words or names.
Role of Estrogen
Estrogen stimulates neurotransmitters in regions of the brain devoted to memory, mood and language, Devi explains. Estrogen activates these neurotransmitters and aids in communication between cells. Estrogen also dilates blood vessels, increasing blood flow and improving brain function, Williams says. The lower estrogen levels of menopause affect the ability of the brain to function optimally. Other menopause-related symptoms, such as increased stress, weight gain and lack of sleep, also affect memory.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Boosting estrogen levels with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may not help resolve menopause-associated memory loss, Williams states. The large-scale Women's Health Initiative study concluded that women who received HRT had higher incidence of dementia that women who did not receive the hormones, Devi says. However, Devi notes, women did not receive HRT until they were already in their 60s and the hormone preparations used in the study were derived from pregnant mares. Bioidentical estrogens derived from plant phytoestrogens may be more effective, Devi says.
Memory-Boosting Tips
HRT may be ineffective in improving memory after menopause, but other strategies may help. Foods such as fish, blueberries and nuts, as well as soy products can help boost memory, according to Williams. Additional tips to help relieve menopause-associated memory loss include reducing stress, getting plenty of sleep and exercising regularly. Keep your brain active by taking classes, completing puzzles and reading.
