How many times today did you go online to look something up, opened up your search engine, and then couldn’t remember why you were there?
Or walked into a room to get something but drew a blank about what that something was? Do you remember back to all those times that you laughed when your mother or grandmother did the same thing?
Now that it’s happening to you, it’s not so funny. In fact, it’s kind of scary, especially when you consider the high prevalence of Alzheimer’s and dementia in America.
But if you are a woman in peri-menopause or menopause, you have nothing to fear. This is a natural part of the transition that your body is going through, and it won’t last forever, especially if you get treatment.
It’s Called Brain Fog
What we described in the first paragraph were examples of brain fog. Brain fog is not a medical condition. It is a symptom of other medical conditions, and it usually shows up like this:
- Problems with your memory
- A decrease in mental clarity
- Difficulty concentrating
- Inability to focus
Brain fog can also feel like mental fatigue, and depending on how severe it is, it may negatively affect your life. The good news is that treating the underlying cause can get you back in focus in no time!
The underlying causes of brain fog can include:
- Stress
- Lack of sleep
- Diet
- Hormone changes
- Medications
Medical conditions like abnormal glucose levels, poor liver, kidney, thyroid function, nutritional deficiencies, infections, and inflammatory diseases.
If you are a woman over 45 who is having a hard time focusing or consistently losing your keys, your brain fog is probably a result of the natural decline in hormones that happen when you go through menopause.
Hormone Imbalances and Brain Fog
At least 60% of American women report memory issues as they go through menopause. Why? A natural part of the aging process is a drop in estradiol, the primary female estrogen.
Research shows that the decreased estradiol levels in postmenopausal women are partly responsible for a decrease in memory. The solution? Rebalancing hormones with Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT).
Using BHRT to optimize estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels relieve many of the effects of menopause, including brain fog. BHRT is most effective when used in combination with supplements and lifestyle changes.
You Are Not Alone
If you are a 45-55 year-old-woman struggling with memory issues, you are not alone. 60% of women from ages 45-55 report them. It’s a part of the natural changes taking place in your body.
Until recently, many women and providers just accepted forgetfulness and brain fog as an inevitable part of getting older.
However, the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has proven that treating the hormone imbalance that comes at the onset of menopause may relieve memory issues for many women.
What’s The Connection?
During perimenopause, the production of sex hormones begins to decrease. These hormones are essential for proper brain function.
- Estrogen helps regulate cortisol levels.
- Cortisol levels influence the functioning of neurotransmitters.
- Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain your body uses for communication.
So, if your estrogen levels decline, which is common during perimenopause, the estrogen no longer properly controls the cortisol.
And the neurotransmitters begin to malfunction. And the next thing you know, you can’t remember where you left your keys.
Where’s The Proof?
In recent studies, researchers found a link between fluctuating levels of hormones in the brain and the complaints of forgetfulness, memory loss, and brain fog in perimenopausal and menopausal women.
Researchers also found that women who underwent a hysterectomy or oophorectomy and were then treated with HRT experienced a slower rate of cognitive decline than those who did not take hormones.
This is good news. You are not losing your mind! Your hormones are just misfiring. And that can be treated.
The Path To Clear Thinking
Addressing brain fog and memory loss problems associated with hormone imbalance include:
- Determine the underlying cause.
- Create a customized treatment plan.
- Implement the plan.
The customized treatment plan may include:
- Good nutrition
- Supplements
- A fitness program
- BHRT
Choosing the Right Provider
Part of successful BHRT treatment is selecting the right provider.
So, you want to select a provider that:
- Specializes in BHRT
- Understands the need for balanced hormone levels
- Treats you as an individual
- Determines the root cause
- Creates a custom treatment plan
Get Your Focus Back!
If you had a hard time staying focused to get through this article- it’s time to seek treatment! You can start right now by taking this quiz to whether BHRT is right for you. Then make an appointment with us!
When you come in for your appointment, we will go over your medical history and lab results with you. After thorough consideration, your provider will determine your problems’ underlying cause and then create a customized treatment plan.
We know you’re foggy right now, so we’ll make it as simple as possible. And we’ll be with you every step of the way!