Menopausal women often experience forgetfulness, fuzzy thinking and difficulty in concentrating. It was once believed that this was due to the fluctuating levels of estrogen experienced during menopause. This led to estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in an attempt to stave off menopausal memory loss. It soon became evident, however, that estrogen therapy does little to improve memory. Researchers now believe that the actual symptoms of menopause are the main contributors to memory loss.

Menopause is a time of extreme stress for many women. Weight gain, hot flashes and mood swings all contribute to heighten one’s anxiety level. These factors, combined with lack of sleep and poor nutrition during menopause can make it very difficult for our brains to work as efficiently as we are used to.

In order to lessen the likelihood of one’s memory being detrimentally affected during menopause it is important to keep the mind intellectually stimulated, to sleep at least 8 hours each night and to practice anti-stress techniques such as deep breathing, yoga or swimming. A proper diet is also essential. Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, a balance of protein and carbohydrates, and avoid alcohol,