New studies have started to unravel the complicated connection of menopause, brain health, and risk of dementia. Newer research suggests that there may be an association between some menopause symptoms with cognitive decline. Women who are affected by more of these symptoms are at higher risk for mild cognitive impairment in midlife and beyond. This article answers those questions with the findings from a landmark study recently completed with postmenopausal women across Canada. It sheds light on the important role menopause symptoms play in affecting brain health.
The research examined the effects of regular frozen-food consumption on 896 postmenopausal women. The average age of these participants during the study was just over 64 years old. That’s no surprise, given that almost 75% of everyone who took the survey said they experienced at least one symptom of menopause. On average, each person experienced 3.7 unique symptoms. Hot flashes and mood swings make work, social interactions, and family life a huge challenge. Their combination can additionally result in lasting mental health issues.
Hormone therapy remains the most effective treatment for menopause symptoms. Alone it might not be sufficient to ward off deterioration of cognition. Researchers have long suspected that there is some relationship between estrogen levels and the onset of dementia. They stress we need to do more to determine the effects of hormone therapy on long-term dementia risk.
The Study’s Findings
Our study’s results are concerning, as we found a significant relationship between the severity of menopause symptoms and cognitive performance. The cognitive effects increased slightly with each additional menopausal symptom. It exacerbated the burden of mild behavioral impairments, early manifestations of dementia.
Zahinoor Ismail, a top researcher on the study, announced one particularly eye-catching result. He pointed out that every single additional menopausal symptom is associated with CVLT cognitive function and increased severity of mild behavioral impairment symptoms. These findings underscore the critical need for effective menopause symptom management to prevent possible long-term negative consequences on mental health.
One limitation to note is that the participants in this study started going through menopause at a relatively early average age of 49. That said, the study underscores an encouraging aspect of this research: most women navigate this transitional period with minimal cognitive repercussions. For those who suffer from the worst symptoms, there may be an increased risk of future cognitive decline.
“If [menopause] symptoms are not well managed, they may contribute to long-term effects on thinking, behavior, and overall well-being,” – Ismail
Implications for Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy has become an important part of treating menopause-related symptoms. Yet its role in shaping cognitive health outcomes remains highly contested. We haven’t done enough to establish that for all women, hormone therapy can be a safe and effective option. This doesn’t mean it is a surefire way to combat dementia, experts say.
Ismail said direct hormonal effects are likely a major factor driving the link between menopause and risk for dementia. He further underscored that major health changes might be doing much of the work. He stressed that everyone needs to individualize their decision to pursue hormone therapy. This decision should take into account personal symptoms and health history, and should be done in conjunction with healthcare providers.
Additionally, Matthew Panizzon, another researcher who participated in the study, said that there is a need for more research to be done in this field. He added, “This is an area of research that we need to do more work in. Only after that can we confidently say that menopause symptom treatments will help protect women’s brain health.” This indeed points to a major lack in our knowledge on how to best target treatments to be most effective at treating overlapping menopausal and cognitive decline symptoms.
Lifestyle Factors and Brain Health
Hormone therapy saves lives, but let’s not discount the impact of a heart-healthy lifestyle. It’s the most powerful thing you can do to improve brain health and lower your dementia risk. Getting physical Overall, regular exercise—especially aerobic exercise—increases blood flow to the brain, promoting cognitive resilience. Dr. G. Peter Gliebus inspired attendees by describing how regular exercise can transform our lives. As he explained, it increases blood flow to the brain and builds cognitive reserve.
Eating an inflammation-fighting diet that’s rich in nutrients, like the Mediterranean or MIND diet, can further reduce inflammation and promote brain health. Gliebus elaborated on this dietary approach: “Following a nutrient-dense diet… can help minimize inflammation and promote brain function.”
Addressing lifestyle factors, including diet and exercise, are important, major contributors to cognitive health. Ismail emphasizes that managing menopause symptoms is key, too. Addressing symptoms through hormone therapy if indicated, or other strategies, can make a positive difference to health and quality of life,” he continued.
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