In some women, it causes a lasting decrease in cognitive abilities, including learning and memory.
- Cognitive abilities decline from peri-menopause
- Memory or attention problems may vary depending on social background or stress level
As the years pass, our cognitive functions decline. However, certain factors can accelerate this phenomenon. Several studies have shown that menopause is one of them. In the specialist journal Menopause, researchers wanted to clarify this observation. They dissected the evolution of memory and the different cognitive abilities of a sample of women to understand their duration and evolution.
Persistent symptoms
American scientists conducted this study on a sample of 440 women. All were from working-class backgrounds, and some were HIV-positive. The study showed that cognitive abilities decline from the first stage of menopause called perimenopause. This period is characterized by the appearance of the first symptoms, such as hot flashes or disruption of menstrual cycles. The decline in cognitive abilities persists after this phase, according to this research. It mainly concerns memory and learning. In some women, the researchers also found the onset of a decline in attention. “This study is the first to document cognitive changes across the different stages of menopause“, underline the researchers.
What factors can impact cognitive decline?
For the team of North American Menopause Society, these results could be explained by the profile of the women questioned: previous studies have shown that cognitive abilities depend on various factors, including the use of illicit substances, income, HIV status or high levels of stress. “Further research is needed (…) to identify the factors responsible for individual differences related to cognitive changes“, emphasizes Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director of the North American Menopause Society.
What is menopause?
Generally, menopause occurs at the age of 50, although some women may be affected by early menopause, before age 40. This term designates the total interruption of menstruation and ovulation: the ovaries no longer secrete hormones and the egg no longer forms. After a year of absence of menstruation, the doctors speak of installed menopause. In case of severe and persistent symptoms, they may prescribe hormone treatment.
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