One of the commonest complaints I hear is that “my memory is not as good as it was.” Does that sound like you? If so, you are definitely not alone. One of the biggest causes of poor memory is poor sleep that often comes with menopause. It’s one of the reasons women consider HRT. But there are other causes of poor memory in menopause.
In a study presented at the Society for Neuroscience in Washington DC November of 2011, researchers compared giving estrogen or a placebo for three months to women in menopause. They found that the hormone treatment increased the amount of grey matter in the part of the brain that controls attention, decision-making and memory. The researches speculated that the decline in estrogen is a major reason for memory lapses.
So if this is an issue for you, talk with your doctor about it. HRT is not for everyone; but when the risks and benefits are discussed, you might find this is a great reason to consider it.
In the meantime, here is a fun YouTube video song spoof about loss of memory in the menopause. Enjoy!
