This stage of a woman’s life causes as many changes in the brain as it does in the ovaries.
In Brazil approximately 1.2 million people suffer from Alzheimer’s, and in the United States this number reaches 6 million. Nearly two-thirds of these individuals are women, something researchers say has to do with genetics and the fact that they live longer than men.
However, there is growing consensus that menopause may be a major risk factor for developing dementia later in life, as shown in a report published this week in The New York Times.
During this stage of life, women face as many changes in the brain as in the ovaries, says neuroscientist Lisa Mosconi, director of the women’s studies center at Weill Cornell Medicine, US.
Most women will have no long-term consequences. However, about 20% of them will develop dementia in the decades following menopause, say experts consulted for the report.
Brain changes during menopause
The female brain is rich in estrogen receptors, especially in regions that control memory, mood, sleep and body temperature. Estrogen is also vital to the brain’s ability to defend against aging and damage.
The characteristic decline in estrogen levels during menopause not only alters the functioning of certain regions of the brain, according to the neuroscientist, but also alters its structure. Scanning studies indicate reduced volume in the brains of menopausal women compared to the brains of men of the same age or premenopausal women.
These neurological changes may also be responsible for some menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, mood disturbances, and a mild and, usually temporary, reduction in memory and cognition (the ability to pay attention and reason).
These changes also resemble changes in the brain that occur just before dementia sets in, experts say. Furthermore, some of the brain regions affected by menopause are the same ones affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
Symptoms of menopause itself, such as lack of sleep and hot flashes, have also been linked to dementia. A study published last year found that hot flashes were associated with an increase in the number of small lesions in the brain, which are a sign of worsening brain health.
Another more recent study determined that hot flashes during sleep were associated with an increase in Alzheimer’s biomarkers in the blood, which serve as early indicators of the disease.
Measures to protect the brain
Although this research seems alarming, experts say most women’s brains and cognitive functions stabilize after the menopause transition. Regardless, there are things you can do to strengthen your health and cognitive abilities in the face of declining estrogen.
Several studies have found that up to 40% of dementia cases could be prevented. Certain lifestyle changes in midlife, including quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, sleeping better, and staying mentally and socially active, help with prevention.
But for menopausal women, experts say three things in particular could have the biggest impact, addressing both short-term symptoms and long-term dementia risk:
The number 1 hormone therapy at the right time
For decades, researchers have worried that hormone therapy used to treat menopausal symptoms was associated with an increased risk of developing dementia in older women. However, recent studies, including one published last month that examined the results of more than 50 studies, look more closely at the timing of starting therapy and suggest that starting treatment when menopause symptoms begin prevents this from happening.
Other studies have shown that hormone therapy had no effect on the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. However, these treatments are effective in treating hot flashes and night sweats, as well as improving quality of life, which are “important determinants of brain health.”
#2 Consistent exercise
Physical inactivity presents a greater risk of neurodegenerative diseases in women than in men. A 2018 study that followed nearly 200 middle-aged women for 44 years found that the higher your fitness level at the start of the study, the lower your risk of developing dementia later in life.
#3 Healthy diet
In recent years, researchers have found that certain diets, such as the Mediterranean diet and the Mind diet (which are quite similar), are associated with a reduced risk of dementia in both men and women. They prioritize vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats.
The Mediterranean diet, in particular, appears to be a protective tool, even for women at genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease. And there may be a specific benefit of these plant-rich diets for women: Preliminary research suggests that certain gut bacteria – which are nourished by a plant-rich diet – may help balance estrogen levels in the body.
Many of these lifestyle changes take time, something many middle-aged women feel they don’t have. But it’s important that healthcare and quality of life are priorities, as this can make a huge difference in the future.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
