Menopause and the brain This is an important point that many people don't know. Did you know that a woman's brain power can drop by up to 30% after menopause? Many people are familiar with hot flashes, night sweats, or mood swings, but what is often overlooked is: The effects of menopause on the brain Directly in the book The Menopause Brain Dr. Lisa Mosconi explains that menopause is not just a sign of aging, but a neuroendocrine transition that profoundly affects the brain.
Generally, a woman is considered to have entered menopause when she has not had a period for 12 consecutive months, but in reality, the body begins to change from Perimenopause It usually occurs in people aged 45–50 years and lasts for 2–10 years.
Dr. Mosconi points out that during Perimenopause and Post-Menopause (3–4 years before and after your last menstrual period) is when women experience the most symptoms and when the brain undergoes “major changes.”
This is why Menopause and the brain Needs more attention than ever
Estrogen in particular Estradiol is Master Regulator of the female brain
When estrogen levels drop, nerve cells slow down, causing a condition called “Authority Crisis” (ATP Crisis) Causes the brain to produce and use energy less efficientlyThe result is the familiar menopause symptoms. Such as hot flashes, insomnia, anxiety, or Brain Fog Which actually originates from the brain, not just the ovaries.
Read more Have you checked for symptoms of menopause yet?
Data from the United States found that Alzheimer's patients Two-thirds are women. Or to put it simply, if one man is sick, there will be two women sick.
Although many people believe that it is because women live longer, the truth is Estrogen decline It causes the brain to lose energy faster and accelerates the aging process.
Ovarian surgery not only affects sex hormones, but also accelerates brain degeneration faster than previously thought.
Research has found that women who have their ovaries removed before natural menopause have a significantly increased risk of:
And only 6–12 months after surgery Brain loss Gray matter Clearly
This reinforces that Estrogen is a direct protective shield for the brain. And the sudden drop has a bigger impact on the brain than many people think.
Did you know that brain fog, or the mood swings women experience during menopause, was once labeled simply a “female disorder” for centuries?
For hundreds of years, the brain health of menopausal women has not been taken seriously. Symptoms are often explained by prejudice rather than science. A prime example is the term: “hysteria” The word, which means “madness,” has Greek roots meaning “womb.” This reflects how medicine once viewed women’s health as tied to emotions and mental instability. This gap in understanding has led to the truth about The connection between menopause and the brain It was only seriously revealed in the last few decades.
The good news is, we now know there are several ways to help protect your brain and reduce your risk of dementia, including:
By 2025, there will be more women One billion people worldwide Those who are entering or passing menopause. If we still only look at the negative side, the impact on health and society can be severe. But if we change our perspective, menopause is not the end, but a A time of new beginningsResearch, including books The Menopause Brain As Lisa Mosconi points out, while the brain may “stumble” during menopause, many women report that afterward they feel More happiness, satisfaction and peace of mind This may be due to the emotional part of the brain adjusting to a new balance.
In conclusion, menopause is not just the cessation of ovarian function, but Major brain changes Understanding the role of estrogen in the brain can help explain both the familiar symptoms of menopause and long-term risks, such as Alzheimer's disease.
When we combine Scientific knowledge, hormone care, holistic health, and social acceptance Women can confidently navigate menopause and transform it from a “crisis” into a A new opportunity for a life filled with energy and meaning
If you start experiencing insomnia, brain fog, or mood swings in your 40s,
Hormone testing and consultation with a specialist are the first steps in taking care of your brain and long-term health.
Phramongkutklao Hospital (3rd floor, Building A)
Written and compiled by
Dr. Chalermpol Innachit (Dr. Nong)
Anti-aging and preventative medicine physician
W9 Wellness Center
refer: Mosconi, L. (2024). The Menopause Brain: New Science Empowers Women to Navigate Menopause with Knowledge and Confidence. New York: Avery/Penguin Random House.
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