A new review presented at The Menopause Society\u2019s annual meeting breaks down the changes that happen in the brain during menopause. <\/p>\n
These adaptations could be behind the brain fog that some women experience.<\/p>\n
Doctors say hormone therapy and certain lifestyle tweaks may help manage brain fog. <\/p>\n
When it comes to symptoms of menopause, hot flashes<\/a> steal a lot of the spotlight. But more people are paying attention to brain fog<\/a> that can set in during this life stage\u2014and trying to figure out how to combat it.<\/p>\n Most recently, a new scientific analysis<\/a> presented at The Menopause Society\u2019s annual meeting breaks down structural changes in the brain during menopause that may contribute to trouble concentrating, forgetfulness, and feeling mentally sluggish, all hallmarks of brain fog.<\/p>\n The study dives a little deeper into why brain fog happens, and could ultimately help pave the way for new treatments. Here\u2019s what the researchers found, plus what ob-gyns want you to keep in mind.<\/p>\n Meet the experts: Jennifer Wu, MD<\/a>, is an ob-gyn at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital. Fatima Naqvi, MD<\/a>, is an ob-gyn at Atlantic Health.<\/p>\n What did the study find?<\/p>\n For the not-yet-published study, researchers conducted a review of existing scientific literature to break down the changes that happen in the brain during menopause. Turns out, there are a few things going on that create the conditions for brain fog.<\/p>\n One is that there is a drop in gray matter volume in regions like the frontal and temporal cortices and the hippocampus\u2014and all of these play major roles in memory and decision-making. (Gray matter makes up the outermost layer of the brain.) These decreases in gray matter are linked with drops in certain types of memory.<\/p>\n It’s not all bad, though. The researchers found that gray matter volume may bounce back\u2014at least partially\u2014after menopause, which suggests that the brain may learn to adapt.<\/p>\n During menopause, researchers also notice more bright spots on brain scans known as white-matter hyperintensities. These lesions are linked to a higher risk of neurological symptoms like cognitive decline and mood changes. This tends to be more common in people who have early menopause or frequent hot flashes.<\/p>\n The brain also seems to have a higher density of estrogen receptors (which has been linked to memory issues) during menopause, likely due to the brain trying to compensate for falling levels of the hormone.<\/p>\n Why can menopause alter brain structure?<\/p>\n The study didn\u2019t break down why all of these changes happen. Instead, it tried to lay out exactly what takes place in the brain during menopause in an effort to explain why some women experience brain fog.<\/p>\n But the cause of all of these changes is likely due to the drop in estrogen that naturally happens during menopause, according to Fatima Naqvi, MD<\/a>, an ob-gyn at Atlantic Health. \u201cOur brains are driven by estrogen,\u201d she explains. So, when there is a drop in estrogen in the body, it also can impact the brain.<\/p>\n \u201cIf your ovaries are making less estrogen, your brain is going to start to remodel in a way,\u201d Dr. Naqvi says. \u201cYour brain is deciding what will go where, and how it will modify with less estrogen.\u201d<\/p>\n But there\u2019s likely more than brain changes that lead to brain fog in menopause, says Jennifer Wu, MD<\/a>, an ob-gyn at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital. \u201cThis isn\u2019t just a change in hormones or blood flow,\u201d she says. \u201cWomen often aren\u2019t sleeping as well, and lack of sleep is just one thing that can cause brain fog.\u201d Menopause is also often a stressful time, making it understandable that women would have trouble concentrating, she says.<\/p>\n How To Prevent And Treat Brain Fog <\/p>\n The study authors hope their work will help lead to effective therapies for the cognitive concerns that may come along with menopause.<\/p>\n But in the meantime, there are a few things you can do to set yourself up for more mental clarity. Dr. Naqvi recommends eating \u201cbrain food,\u201d like foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids<\/a> (think: fatty fish, walnuts). \u201cThat can help prepare your brain to transition,\u201d she says. Exercising regularly and eating a well-balanced diet can help, too.<\/p>\n