Loss of memory is a difficult thing to evaluate as we get older. The biggest fear I see with women is their concern of degenerative brain disease such as dementia. This can be a more worrisome sign then changes in eyesight or a few wrinkles.
Women in their menopausal years have so much to juggle, whether it be their careers, raising their children, relationships or worries about their elderly parents. In this study, women who showed signs of anxiety or depression had lower scores on mental skills then women who were not as stressed. They also scored lower on cognitive tests which measured organization, attention, and visual skills. So it may not be recall as much as absorbing new information that is difficult for women that have anxiety or depressive symptoms. These stress symptoms which raise our cortisol levels tend to also lower estrogen levels. I often have women tell me that their menopausal symptoms increase (hot flushes, mood changes, insomnia) when under more stress.
Consider getting adrenal stress hormone levels measured in addition to thyroid levels. We as women also need to take “time out” for ourselves. It will help us feel better and think better.
As menopause nears, some women blame their shifting hormones for memory problems. But it’s not quite that simple, a new study shows….