Menopause and the Brain: How Hormonal Changes Impact Memory, Sleep, and Cognitive Health

Menopause, the period following the last menstrual cycle, can result in various health effects such as physical, psychological, and social changes. Emerging research is aimed at differentiating whether the effects seen around ages 45 to 55 may result from aging alone or may be influenced more significantly by menopausal changes. For example, a longitudinal study including thousands of diverse participants from 42 to 52 years old showed cardiovascular health was more influenced by menopausal transition. Vascular risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, were also correlated to the rate of cognitive processing. 

Brain health and menopausal symptoms may be linked to vasomotor symptoms, such as night sweats and hot flashes. In a preliminary study, these symptoms were associated with decreased verbal memory and changes during memory tasks. Vasomotor symptoms and sleep disturbances have implications for dementia and cardiovascular disease risk and lesions in the brain called white matter hyperintensities, which are risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and vascular demenia. Treatments such as hormone therapies can help to reduce the severity of vasomotor symptoms and sleep disturbances. Alternate treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy, have been shown to improve menopausal related sleep difficulties. Medications that target serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake may help to alleviate hot flashes and sleep disturbances. To better understand the effects of menopause and aging, additional research is needed to further establish the mechanisms behind these symptoms and treatment options.  

Sources: 

Craven, B., et al. (2024). Reducing endocrine metabolic disease risk in adults with chronic spinal cord injury. Disability and Rehabilitation: An International, Multidisciplinary Journal