Menopause can actually reshape the brain. This includes reduced volume of grey matter — a crucial region of the brain. Cognition, mood and sleep can be affected.
HRT — hormone replacement therapy — doesn’t fully prevent these unwanted changes, says the study from the University of Cambridge.
Menopause occurs when a woman’s menstrual cycles stop permanently due to falling hormone levels.
The so-called “change” was once thought to be nothing much more than loss of fertility, along with annoying symptoms like hot flashes and thinning hair. And maybe some subtle cognitive alterations.
But it’s actually a whole lot more — as it relates to cognitive function, mood and sleep.
To manage these symptoms, many women are prescribed HRT.
A Large Study Using UK Biobank Data
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 125,000 women in the UK Biobank.
Participants were grouped into women who hadn’t yet reached menopause, women postmenopause who’d never used HRT, and postmenopausal women who had used HRT.
Participants completed questionnaires on menopause symptoms, mental health, sleep and overall well-being.
Some also took cognitive tests measuring memory and reaction time. Around 11,000 women had MRI scans to examine brain structure.
The average age at menopause among participants was about 49.5 years, with HRT typically starting around that age.
Mental Health, Sleep and Cognitive Ability After Menopause
Postmenopausal women were more likely to report anxiety, depression or nervousness and to seek help from a GP or psychiatrist.
They also scored higher on depression questionnaires and were more likely to have been prescribed antidepressants.
Interestingly, women in the HRT group showed higher levels of anxiety and depression compared with non-users, but these differences were already present before menopause.
Researchers suggest some women may have been prescribed HRT because their doctors anticipated worsening symptoms.
Sleep problems were also more common after menopause. Postmenopausal women reported insomnia, poor sleep quality and ongoing fatigue.
Those on HRT reported feeling the most tired, even though their overall sleep duration was similar to non-HRT users.
Menopause was linked to slower reaction times, especially in women not using HRT. Memory performance, however, didn’t differ significantly across groups.
The paper reminds us that with age, reaction time slows down. But menopause seems to speed up this natural process.
You can still get an answer right on a reaction speed test, but it’ll take longer than it would have prior to menopause.
Loss of Grey Matter in the Brain
This is a kick in the ribcage for postmenopausal women. MRI scans showed that they had significant reductions in grey matter volume, regardless of HRT use.
Grey matter contains nerve cell bodies and is crucial for processing information, controlling movement, memory and emotional regulation.
The hippocampus, entorhinal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex were among the most affected regions. These areas are involved in memory, learning, attention and managing emotions.
How to Combat These Problems
It’s a no-brainer (no pun intended): lead a healthy lifestyle. Eat healthfully, limit ultra-processed foods, don’t smoke or drink, and EXERCISE — vigorously.
These measures will help preserve brain function, boost mood and improve sleep.
It’s never too late, ladies, to pick up a barbell, take a fitness class or regularly go on hikes.
