Menopause may increase forgetfulness, lack of attention

If you’re transitioning into menopause, you’re likely to become a bit more forgetful or have more difficulty processing complex concepts. This is because menopause can affect a woman’s cognitive performance, suggests a new study. Contrary to previous findings, the new study also claimed that memory decline may continue into the post-menopause period.

Multiple large-scale studies have described menopause as a sex-specific risk factor for cognitive dysfunction independent of ageing and other menopause symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and hot flashes. But these studies suggested that difficulties in memory and processing may resolve in the post-menopause period. Also, they did not characterize the duration of cognitive changes taking place between premenopause and perimenopause (around menopause).

The latest study, published online in Menopause, concluded that menopause stage is a key determinant of cognition and that cognitive declines/cognitive impairment persist into post-menopause, affecting primarily learning and memory. In addition, subtle declines in attention were found to continue into the post-menopause period, reported ANI.

Risk factors for cognitive dysfunction

The difference in results relative to the duration of cognitive decline could be due to the fact that this newer study included more low-income women with multiple risk factors for cognitive dysfunction, including the presence of HIV, the researchers noted. The new study included more than 440 primarily low-income women of colour, including women with HIV.

Previous studies have identified an array of risk factors – including HIV, poverty, low education, substance abuse, high levels of stress, limited access to quality healthcare, mental health problems, and medical comorbidities – that can compromise cognitive function.

The new study, which is considered to be the first to assess changes in cognitive performance across menopause stages, specifically showed cognitive declines in learning, memory, and attention from premenopause to early perimenopause and from premenopause to postmenopause. Many of these changes could lead to a clinically significant level of cognitive impairment, the authors noted.

How can you prevent cognitive decline?

For years, experts have been advising people to follow four steps to keep cognitive skills from declining as they age: a healthy diet, regular exercise, socializing, and challenging your brain.

If you follow all these four practices, you may even reverse lost mental capacity, suggested the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) in 2016.

Some studies have suggested that following a Mediterranean diet may protect against cognitive decline. This eating pattern encourages eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds, and olive oil, while including moderate amounts of fish, poultry, and dairy products, limiting red meat. Mediterranean diet is associated with lower the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI). It also appears to slow the progression to dementia in people who have the condition.

There is some evidence suggesting that moderate consumption of alcohol, red wine in particular, may reduce the risk for cognitive decline and dementia. But experts do not recommend drinking alcohol to prevent cognitive decline.

Getting consistent, good-quality sleep is another way to prevent cognitive decline. Sleep is crucial for learning and memory formation. Lack of sleep can impair your ability to focus and learn efficiently.

Source: | This article originally belongs to thehealthsite.com

Menopause may increase forgetfulness, lack of attention

Up next

Support for Scottish independence hits 57% ahead of May elections

Author

shalw

Tags

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Treat your angina symptoms naturally with basil, lemon and more

Digital detox amidst COVID-19 lockdown: The whys and hows of it

Today health tips: Washing hands can keep you safe from the coronavirus

10 Best Dry Cough Medicines Or Syrups For Adults And Children

AOC reignites her war of words with Elon Musk by slamming his Eagle Pass border visit – after billionaire warned NYC was buckling under the pressure of Biden’s migrant crisis

Joe Biden confuses his dates saying he met with world leaders in England and Brussels after his inauguration in January 2021 – when the G7 Summit and NATO were held in June

REVEALED: The second Republican presidential debate averaged 9.5 million viewers across all platforms – 3 million LESS than the first

Brazen ‘thief’ returns to California manicure supplies store after ‘stealing $600 of merchandise’ to demand return of phone she left behind

Menopause may increase forgetfulness, lack of attention

Up next

Author

shalw

Tags

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You May Also Like