Menopause can come with some unusual symptoms that you might not have ever experienced before. One of the most disturbing for many women is to suddenly start having issues with memory loss. In fact, you might be worried that you’ve developed something serious like dementia when what’s really happening is related to menopause instead, according to Eagle’s Landing OB/GYN in Stockbridge, GA. Let’s look into this further to help explain the correlation between these two things.
Menopause and Hormones
Menopause is all about hormones, of course, because your body stops producing some of the hormones involved in reproduction. As those hormone levels change, you experience a variety of different symptoms, like hot flashes, sleep trouble, and difficulty with mood regulation. Your body also stops doing things like ovulating, which can mean that periods become sporadic and eventually stop altogether.
Hormones and Memory Loss
But what does that all have to do with memory loss? There’s a lot going on within your body at this stage and often that means that your brain gets overloaded. It’s important to keep in mind that some hormones, including estrogen, do more than just handle tasks related to reproduction. As estrogen levels fall, memory issues rise. After menopause, many women find that memory issues resolve on their own.
Is There Anything I Can Do?
The big question is really what you can do about all of this. The basic recommendations for keeping yourself healthy overall apply here. Make sure you’re getting the best rest you can, including keeping a regular sleep schedule and checking that your sleep hygiene is good. That afternoon caffeine might have to go, for example. Check your diet, too. The healthier your diet is, the healthier you can be overall. Find some exercise that you love and stick with it. It can be as simple as gradually ramping up a daily walk.
When Is the Situation Serious?
When your memory issues are becoming severe, you might be dealing with more than just menopause-related memory loss. If you’re finding that you’re getting lost in familiar places or having difficulty completing basic activities of daily living, these are warning signs of other trouble. If you’ve made any changes like taking new medications or you’ve experienced an injury, those could be part of the problem, but it’s important to get checked out.
If you’re having issues with your memory or any other symptoms related to menopause, contact us at Eagles Landing OB/GYN. We can help you feel better and understand exactly what’s going on with your symptoms.
