Hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep issues are common during menopause, but new research suggests that experiencing more symptoms could be linked to worse brain health.
A study published in PLOS One found that women with more menopause symptoms might face a higher risk of cognitive impairment and mild behavioral changes later in life, both of which are early signs of dementia.
The study hints that the loss of estrogen during menopause could play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. However, the exact connection between menopause and brain health remains unclear.
Researchers found that while hormone therapy helped with some behavioral symptoms, it didn’t significantly improve cognitive function.
Matthew Panizzon, PhD, noted that the relationship between menopause and Alzheimer’s risk is still under study. “This is an area of active research,” he explained.
The study involved 896 postmenopausal women, with an average age of 64. Participants reported various menopause symptoms, and those with more symptoms also showed greater cognitive and behavioral impairments.
While the study identifies a link, it doesn’t prove cause-and-effect, and further research is needed to understand how symptom severity might influence brain health.
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