Losing memories, concentration and productivity are common symptoms of waning hormones during menopause. Although memory lapses can occur to men and women despite their age, women entering menopause find a lack of focus, memory, and concentration truly disruptive. Although, healthy eating, exercise, and reducing stress can diminish these frustrating symptoms, understanding their cause can reduce anxiety.
Women who are unable to follow directions to complete a task or manage an activity that they have performed hundreds of times before may have a memory related illness not associated with menopause. Alzheimer’s, dementia, and heart problems can increase memory loss, disorientation and the inability to concentrate. For most women, however, these symptoms come and go throughout menopause, tapering off as the body adjusts to lower levels of estrogen and progesterone production.
Symptoms of Disrupts Concentration and Focus
Finding it difficult to recall information is a common symptom of menopause. Fatigue, stress, too much work can all decrease a women’s memory, even for well-known information such as coworker’s names, phone numbers called daily and computer passwords. Typical symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, mood disorders, difficulty sleeping, night sweats, vaginal dryness, increased perspiration, body odor, hair loss, decreased sex drive, dehydration in skin and hair, as well as difficulty maintaining weight, memory and focus.Often a women’s heredity can enhance menopausal symptoms. As allergies progress with age, similarly mood disorders lying dormant can awaken from changes in estrogen levels. Women who once could handle stress fueled days and workaholic nights now seem overworked and tired. Estrogen and progesterone, sex hormones produced in the pituitary and endocrine glands drop significantly during menopause. Ebbing estrogen levels reduce brain function and increase memory lapses. Women can lose up to 80 percent of their estrogen and progesterone stores during menopause.
Treatment for Memory Lapses
Increase memory by reading, completing crossword puzzles, online word games, Scrabble, Sudoku and engage in lively debate with peers. All of these activities force the brain to reason, interpret, and translate thought to verbiage.Trust and Organize
Although memory loss and poor concentration can be frustrating and even frightening at times, women who trust that they will be okay with a few lifestyle adjustments can actually improve brainpower. Keep a pen and paper or the black berry close. Jot down information such as phone numbers, names, events, dates, and important ideas, immediately. Leaving the brain free to focus on other tasks, writing down important information provides for safe storage. Plan appointments, meetings and include time for meals and breaks. Maintaining a schedule throughout the workday keeps the day focused and on task.
Brain Food
Eating foods rich in soy, omega fatty acids, protein, folic acid, vitamins B, C, E, and K will also increase brain functions. Drinking lots of water each day reduces the effects of waning hormones increases message transmission in the brain and throughout the nervous system. Reduce intake of caffeine, sugar, and alcohol provide a false boost of energy and an abrupt energy drop decreasing cognitive functioning. Women who are concerned about severe or debilitating memory loss should consult a medical health professional for diagnosis and test.
