Do You Often Forget To Put Your Phone Away?
If you are a woman between 45-55 years old, then symptoms such as forgetting to put your phone away or having trouble remembering familiar places may be a sign that you are going through menopause. Most women will experience mild to moderate symptoms, some will experience severe symptoms that affect their quality of life, there are also women who feel no symptoms at all.
What is Menopause?1,2,3
Menopause is the end of reproductive ability due to a decrease in the production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone from the ovaries. Typically, menopause occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age being around 51. These hormonal changes also affect the brain and can cause symptoms such as brain fog.
Menopause Symptoms 1,2,4
The main symptoms of Menopause include:
- Hot Flush: A sudden feeling of heat in the upper body, especially the neck, face and chest, often occurring at night.
- Joint Pain: Many women experience joint pain as one of the symptoms of menopause.
- Skin Changes: Decreased collagen levels lead to wrinkled and less elastic skin.
- Brain Fog: Brain fog is a very common symptom of perimenopause and menopause. Brain fog is a condition where a person finds it difficult to concentrate and cannot focus when thinking about something.
How Does Menopause Affect the Brain? 5,6
Decreased estrogen levels are a major factor causing brain fog in menopausal women. This hormone plays an important role in maintaining the health of brain cells and the transmission of signals between cells. In addition, changes in brain structure may also occur, which can slow down thinking and decision-making processes.
How to overcome it?1,4
- Hormone Therapy: Hormone therapy can help reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and sleep disturbances, which in turn can improve quality of life and reduce cognitive symptoms.
- Healthy Lifestyle: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate rest, and stress management can help reduce menopausal symptoms, including brain fog. Physical activities such as aerobic exercise and yoga can improve brain performance and reduce stress.
- Consultation with Health Professionals: Women experiencing menopausal symptoms are advised to consult a healthcare professional to evaluate their symptoms and get advice on their management, including the possible use of hormone therapy or other therapies if needed.
Brain fog in menopausal women is a common symptom and is associated with hormonal changes, especially the decline in estrogen levels. Effective treatment and prevention include hormonal control, a healthy lifestyle, and consultation with a healthcare professional. Thus, women can reduce the negative impact of menopause and improve their quality of life.
Reference
1. Fadhli Rizal Makarim. Menopause. Halodoc. Reviewed: July 17, 2024. Available at: https://www.halodoc.com/kesehatan/menopause?srsltid=AfmBOopWsCTGNAAlARNfuaL8iV_zK12lzEGgMlPxNMjr-Ja2LXU2nD7p
2. NHS staf. Menopause Reviewed: July 23, 2024. NHS. Available at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health/later-years-around-50-years-and-over/menopause-and-post-menopause-health/menopause/
3. Pittara. Menopause. Alodokter. Reviewed; March 14, 2022. Available at: https://www.alodokter.com/menopause
4. Kevin Adrian. Sering Lupa Sesaat? Mungkin Kamu Mengalami Brain Fog. Alodokter. Reviewed: June 26, 2021. Available at: https://www.alodokter.com/sering-lupa-sesaat-mungkin-kamu-mengalami-brain-fog
5. CNN Indonesia Staf. Wanita Rentan Depresi saat Memasuki Masa Menopause?. CNN. Reviewed: October 25, 2022. Available at: https://www.cnnindonesia.com/gaya-hidup/20221020115836-255-863102/mengapa-wanita-rentan-depresi-saat-memasuki-masa-menopause
6. dr. Andreas Wilson Setiawan, M.Kes. Menopause Ternyata Mempengaruhi Fungsi Otak Wanita. Hellosehat. Reviewed: November 06, 2020. Available at: https://hellosehat.com/wanita/menopause/gejala-menopause-fungsi-otak/