Memory problems experienced by women as they approach and go through menopause appear to be most severe during the first stage of post-menopause, according to a new study published in the journal Menopause.
“Women going through menopausal transition have long complained of cognitive difficulties such as keeping track of information and struggling with mental tasks that would have otherwise been routine,” said lead author Miriam Weber, Ph.D., a neuropsychologist at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC).
“This study suggests that these problems not only exist but become most evident in women in the first year following their final menstrual period.”
For the study, researchers tracked 117 women who took a variety of tests assessing their cognitive skills. The participants reported on menopause-related symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep problems,depression and anxiety, and gave a sample of blood to determine current levels of estradiol (an indicator of estrogen levels) and follicle-stimulating hormone.
Results were analyzed to see if there were group differences in cognitive performance, and if these differences were linked to menopausal symptoms. Read full article.
