Many women notice during menopause that their bodies feel different. Not only physical change, but also mental: more forgetful, less sharp or tired more quickly. New research suggests there is a link between menopause and Alzheimer’s, raising new questions about brain health in later life.
In addition to well-known complaints such as hot flashes and sleep problems Many women also experience changes in their concentration, memory and energy levels. Researchers are increasingly trying to understand how hormonal changes during menopause affect the brain.
More information about the transition? We have listed the most important things for you.
This is how researchers looked at the women’s brain
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In a recently published study from Psychological Medicine, research has been conducted into how the brain structure changes when a woman is going through menopause. The study analyzed data from almost 125,000 women. Of this group, 11,000 women also underwent an MRI scan. The participants completed questionnaires about their menopausal experience, mental health, sleep and general health. Some women also took cognitive tests, such as memory and reaction time tests.
For the study, women were divided into three groups: premenopausal women, postmenopausal women who were not taking hormone therapy, and postmenopausal women who were taking hormone replacement therapy. (HRT) used.
Results and findings
What stood out: in both groups postmenopausal In women, researchers saw a decrease in gray matter in the brain. This brain tissue contains nerve cells and plays an important role in information processing, movement, memory and emotions.
The brain areas where these changes were seen are areas also involved in Alzheimer’s. “Menopause can make these women more vulnerable later in life,” says lead author Professor Barbara Sahakian.
Does this mean that menopause increases the risk of dementia?
Still, experts emphasize that this does not mean menopause dementia causes. Without long-term research it is not possible to say whether these changes actually lead to dementia
Researchers think that hormonal changes may play a role in the fact that women develop dementia twice as often as men. But other factors also play a role, such as life expectancy, blood pressure and lifestyle.
More than hormones
After menopause, many women notice that their sleep, energy and recovery feel different. This makes good support extra important in this phase, not only medically, but also in daily life. Whether you use HRT or not, a healthy lifestyle can help you support your body and brain as best as possible. Consider regular exercise, nutritious food and sufficient rest.
Do you suffer from menopausal complaints? We have listed the best tips here!
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This is a syndication of Women’s Health AU.
date:2026-02-08 09:00:00
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