A new study reveals that serious menopause symptoms, like hot flashes and depression, can negatively affect brain health in women after menopause. Over 24 million people globally suffer from dementia, and as the global population ages, the number of dementia cases is rising. It is estimated that every year, 4.6 million new cases are diagnosed, meaning someone is diagnosed with dementia every 7 seconds.
Dementia Cases May Double in 15 Years
By 2040, dementia cases are expected to double, reaching 81.1 million globally. In a new study involving nearly 1,300 women from 9 Latin American countries who experienced late menopause, researchers found that severe menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and mood disorders, were linked to cognitive loss.
The study raises the question of whether effectively treating hot flashes with hormone therapy or other approved treatments could improve cognitive functions like memory, attention, language, and executive functioning. However, this remains uncertain.
Link Between Menopause and Cognitive Loss
The study, published in the journal Menopause, concluded that cognitive health is influenced by the complex interaction of hormonal, lifestyle, and social-demographic factors. Dr. Stephanie Faubion, the medical director of the Menopause Society, said, “This study shows a possible link between severe menopause symptoms and cognitive loss in middle-aged women.”
“The results also suggest that a low body mass index, high educational level, physical activities, hormone therapy, and sexual activities may have protective effects on cognition. This highlights the potential for targeted interventions to protect and preserve cognitive function in menopausal women.”
Dementia Risk in Post-Menopausal Women?
Medical experts believe that 40% of Alzheimer’s disease cases, the most common form of dementia, can be prevented or delayed. This has sparked significant interest in identifying risk factors. Due to the drop in estrogen levels during menopause, women are at a higher risk of developing dementia after menopause.