Symptoms of menopause vary a lot, and many people do not know just how many ways menopause can affect a woman’s health. To explain it, Dr Jay Jagannathan, board-certified neurosurgeon pointed out how menopause can also neurologically affect women as well. Menopause is the natural end to the reproductive years of a woman. However, what most people are not aware of is the way menopause can affect a woman’s health. In fact, even women are not as informed about it. In a 2022 study published in the Women’s Health journal, in their survey of 738 women showed that over 80% of them had no knowledge or some knowledge of menopause. This revealed that most women under 40 have limited education of menopause. To tackle this, a lot of doctors like Dr Jagannathan take to social media and help educate more people about it. Does Menopause Affect The Brain? In the video caption, Dr. Jagannathan explained that when people talk about menopause, they usually focus on hot flashes, changes in mood, or concerns about bone thinning. But what's often missed is the major effect hormonal changes have on your brain. He further explained how estrogen is more than just a reproductive hormone—it functions as a neuroprotective shield for the brain. It plays a key role in regulating blood flow.It helps reduce inflammation.It actively protects brain cells from stress and damage. When estrogen levels decline significantly during and after menopause, this vital protection weakens, leaving the brain more vulnerable. How Does Hormone Decline Put Women At Neurological Risk? When estrogen levels fall sharply during the menopausal transition, this vital protection is lost, which is why we see a rise in specific brain issues: Increased Risk of Silent Strokes A silent stroke is a tiny blockage in the brain's blood vessels that you usually don't notice. Over time, these small blockages add up and quietly damage areas of the brain, leading to problems with memory and thinking. Without estrogen's help to keep vessels healthy, these silent strokes become more common. Accelerated Memory Decline Memory is often the first thing affected. Women may notice they are more forgetful, have trouble finding the right words, or feel mentally "slow." This is partly because the areas of the brain responsible for memory are very sensitive to the drop in estrogen. Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and Persistent Cognitive Fog Cognitive fog is that temporary feeling of being mentally fuzzy or unable to concentrate. Alzheimer's is a serious disease that causes severe memory loss. The loss of estrogen's protection is a major risk factor that increases the chances of developing Alzheimer's and experiencing chronic brain fog decades later. How Can You Protect Your Brain During Menopause? Dr Jagannath assures that it can be controlled. We can proactively manage this biological reality. Based on my clinical guidance, here are essential steps to safeguard your brain health: Control blood pressure and cholesterol, the health of the brain's vessels relies on it.Maintain consistent physical and mental activity.Focus on achieving restorative, high-quality sleep.Talk to your doctor about your hormone levels and overall vascular health; early monitoring is crucial.He concluded the post by warning not to wait until problems start. Discussing your menopausal symptoms, hormone levels, and risk factors (like a family history of heart disease or dementia) with your doctor allows for early intervention, which might include hormone therapy or other medications to protect your vessels and brain.
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