In a 2015 Nature Reviews Endocrinology review, neuroscientist Roberta Diaz Brinton and colleagues note that perimenopausal symptoms are largely neurological. They reflect disruption of oestrogen-regulated systems: temperature regulation, sleep, circadian rhythm and several cognitive functions. The authors also see perimenopause as a possible window for preventing brain disease.
What brain imaging shows
In a 2021 Scientific Reports study, Lisa Mosconi’s team compared women before, during and after menopause with men of the same age. Brain structure, connectivity and energy metabolism differed by menopausal stage, and hormonal changes explained this better than chronological age. After menopause the measures largely stabilised, and grey matter volume recovered in some regions. Women carrying the APOE-4 gene variant accumulated more beta-amyloid than men with the same genotype.
What this means for you
- Menopause is a neurological transition, not just a “women’s problem”.
- Many brain changes settle after menopause, so the hard phase is usually temporary.
- It is worth discussing symptoms with your doctor: there are various treatment options.
Sources
- Brinton R. D., Yao J., Yin F., Mack W. J., Cadenas E. (2015). Perimenopause as a neurological transition state. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 11(7), 393–405. doi:10.1038/nrendo.2015.82
- Mosconi L., Berti V., Dyke J. et al. (2021). Menopause impacts human brain structure, connectivity, energy metabolism, and amyloid-beta deposition. Scientific Reports, 11(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-021-90084-y