Menopause is a significant transition in a woman’s life, typically occurring between the ages of 45 and 55. It is marked by the cessation of menstrual cycles and is accompanied by a variety of physiological changes, including hormonal fluctuations. Recent research has begun to explore the relationship between menopausal symptoms and cognitive decline, particularly in postmenopausal women.
Study Overview
Table of Contents
A study published in the journal Menopause aimed to evaluate the association between menopausal symptoms and cognitive decline in postmenopausal women. Conducted across nine Latin American countries, the study included 1,287 participants who were assessed using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) to evaluate the severity of menopausal symptoms and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to measure cognitive function.
The participants had a mean age of 55.5 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 26.3 kg/m². Educational levels averaged 13.8 years, and approximately 36.7% reported having used menopausal hormone therapy at some point. Notably, 50.3% of the participants engaged in a sedentary lifestyle, while 70.5% had never smoked.
Key Findings
The findings of this study provided important insights into the relationship between menopausal symptoms and cognitive impairment:
- Prevalence of Cognitive Impairment: The study found that 15.3% of the participants exhibited mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Women with MCI reported significantly more severe menopausal symptoms compared to those without MCI, with MRS total scores averaging 15.24 for women with MCI versus 10.53 for those without (P < 0.001). This suggests a correlation between the severity of menopausal symptoms and the risk of cognitive decline.
- Statistical Associations: Logistic regression analysis indicated a significant association between severe menopausal symptoms (defined as an MRS total score of 14 or higher) and MCI, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.74 (95% CI, 1.25-2.42). This means that women experiencing more severe menopausal symptoms are approximately 74% more likely to develop cognitive impairment.
Read Also: Women in Perimenopause Are at an Increased Risk of Depression
- Impact of Lifestyle and Demographic Factors: The study also identified several protective factors associated with lower odds of MCI. These include:
- Lower Body Mass Index (BMI): A lower BMI was associated with a reduced likelihood of cognitive impairment, with an OR of 0.96 (95% CI, 0.95-0.98). This finding suggests that maintaining a healthy weight may be beneficial for cognitive health.
- Sexual Activity: Engaging in sexual activity was found to have a positive effect on cognitive function, with an OR of 0.70 (95% CI, 0.51-0.96).
- Physical Exercise: Regular physical activity significantly reduced the odds of MCI, with an OR of 0.55 (95% CI, 0.39-0.76). This finding aligns with existing literature that emphasizes the cognitive benefits of exercise.
- Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT): The use of hormone therapy was associated with lower odds of cognitive impairment (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.24-0.55). This suggests that hormone therapy may offer protective benefits for brain health in postmenopausal women.
- Higher Educational Attainment: Participants with higher education levels had significantly lower odds of MCI, with an OR of 0.31 (95% CI, 0.21-0.46). This underscores the importance of cognitive reserve, which can help protect against cognitive decline.
Implications for Women’s Health
The findings from this study carry significant implications for women’s health, particularly in light of the increasing prevalence of dementia, which currently affects over 55 million individuals worldwide. Recognizing severe menopausal symptoms as a potential predictive marker for cognitive decline is critical for guiding healthcare providers in monitoring and managing brain health in postmenopausal women.
Preventive strategies may include lifestyle modifications aimed at promoting physical activity, sexual health, and maintaining a healthy weight. Additionally, healthcare providers should consider the potential benefits of hormone therapy for managing severe menopausal symptoms and its role in preserving cognitive function.
Education and awareness about the importance of these factors should be integrated into discussions about women’s health, especially during the menopausal transition. It is essential to empower women with information about the potential risks associated with severe menopausal symptoms and the steps they can take to support their cognitive health.
Conclusion
This research establishes a correlation between severe menopausal symptoms and cognitive impairment in postmenopausal women. The complex interplay among hormonal, lifestyle, and sociodemographic factors highlights the need for healthcare providers to incorporate these considerations into clinical practice. Early detection and intervention may play a crucial role in addressing cognitive health in this population, ultimately contributing to improved quality of life for women during and after menopause.
References
Calle A, Blümel JE, Chedraui P, Vallejo MS, Belardo A, Dextre M, Elizalde-Cremonte A, Escalante C, Espinoza MT, Gómez-Tabares G, Monterrosa-Castro Á, Ñañez M, Ojeda E, Rey C, Rodríguez D, Rodrigues MA, Salinas C, Tserotas K, Aedo S. Severe menopausal symptoms linked to cognitive impairment: an exploratory study. Menopause. 2024 Aug 13. https://doi.org/10.1097/GME.0000000000002422.
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