While you may experience the misery of hot flashes and mood swings as you enter menopause, one thing you can’t blame on the “change” is memory loss.

In the latest study that exonerates menopause as a cause of impairing the ability to recall, Taiwanese researchers compared the memory of hundreds of women before they had any menopausal symptoms to their memory as they entered menopause.

They found the women who were going through the menopausal process scored as well or nearly as well on five different cognitive function tests. Results of the study are to be presented Oct. 4 at the American Neurological Association annual meeting in Toronto.

“When women go into perimenopause, they don’t need to worry about cognitive decline,” said Dr. Jong-Ling Fuh, an attending physician at Taipei Veterans General Hospital and an associate professor of Yang-Ming University School of Medicine.

The researchers said the myth of memory loss during menopause is a perception some women have because as they went through menopause, they felt their memory wasn’t as sharp as it had been before. Studies suggesting that hormone replacement therapy might protect against dementia strengthened that belief. However, a large study later found that in older women, hormone replacement therapy not only didn’t help protect women from dementia, but could actually increase the risk.

To try to answer the question of whether menopause did have any effect on memory, Fuh and her colleagues studied nearly 700 premenopausal women living on a group of rural islands between Taiwan and China. The Taiwanese government restricted access to these islands until the 1990s, so the authors report that the study’s population was nearly homogeneous, which would help rule out other potentially causative factors of memory loss.

The women were between the ages of 40 and 54. None of them had had a hysterectomy, and none took hormone replacement therapy during the study.

All took five cognitive tests designed to assess their memory and cognitive skills at the start of the study, and then again 18 months later.

During the study period, 23 percent of the women began to have symptoms of menopause.

The researchers then compared the memory of the women who had entered menopause to those who had not, and found very little difference. In four of the five tests, there were no statistically significant differences in the two groups of women.

Only on one test was the difference statistically significant, and that difference, said Fuh, was very slight. This test was designed to assess verbal memory and involved showing the women 70 nonsensical figures. Some of the figures were repeated during the test, while most were not. The women were asked whether they had seen the figure earlier.

“For women, menopause does not mean you’ll develop memory loss,” said Dr. Raina Ernstoff, an attending neurologist at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich. As you’re going through perimenopause and experiencing symptoms like hot flashes, she said, you may feel lousy and have trouble sleeping, which might temporarily affect your cognitive skills.

“I don’t think declining estrogen levels are what causes memory loss,” said Dr. Steven Goldstein, an obstetrician/gynecologist at New York University Medical Center in New York City. “It’s not like your memory is bopping along, doing fine and then takes this big dive during menopause, like bone density can.”

Both Ernstoff and Goldstein said they weren’t aware of many women who believed that menopause might cause significant memory loss. They also both felt that results from this group of women who were so homogeneous might not apply to different groups of women, such as those living in more industrialized society. And they both said that other factors that weren’t studied could play a role in memory loss, such as hypertension, which can contribute to vascular dementia.

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Nature has a system and a plan for everything. The human body is made up of complex internal systems that keep the body running efficiently. Women have periods in their lives when some of their systems change. With the onset of puberty the body grows and certain physical attributes are formed. The breasts develop and the girl’s overall shape changes. Each month her body goes through a cycle for reproduction. This continues for most of her life. But nature has set safeguards in place to prevent reproduction after a certain age. At this stage in life a woman goes through menopause. She is no longer able to have children naturally. In this article we will cover the facts about this change in life that occurs to all women.

When does menopause occur naturally?

The age that menopause can occur varies. If it is occurring naturally it usually begins occurring between the ages of 45 and 55. Western women, on average, go through it around 51 whereas in other Eastern countries the age is 44 years old. But do not let age by your only guideline. There are women who go through “the change” far earlier due to reproductive problems. There are other factors that can bring it on faster such as smoking. It is important that if you are experiencing irregular periods, hot flashes or any other perimenopause symptom, to consult your physician as soon as possible. There could be other medical problems happening. Plus you will want to review your options for easing some of the symptoms that come along with the cessation of menstruation.

Do all women experience the same symptoms?

No, not all women experience the same symptoms. Some may have a few mood swings and generally have an easy time during the transition period. Others may have many of the symptoms and be experiencing a much harder transition into menopause. If you are having a tough time coping with the symptoms and the emotional ups and down’s, you need to contact your physician so that he or she can help you find some relief. There are a wide range of products that may be able to help you find the correct balance so that you can function properly.

How can the symptoms be alleviated?

The symptoms of menopause can be relieved in several ways. One of the most common ways of treating the symptoms is to go straight to the source of the problem: the hormone fluctuation and decrease in production. Doctors will prescribe hormone replacement therapy to help the menopausal woman get through. The hormone replacement therapy is used not only to help alleviate the hot flashes and such but it is also used to help treat osteoporosis. The type of hormones used depends on whether or not there is a uterus present. If the uterus is present then the hormones used will be estrogen and progesterone. If the uterus has been taken due to a hysterectomy then estrogen alone is usually enough.

Are there risks in using hormone replacement therapy?

For a long time there were no known risks associated with using hormone replacement therapy. But that was in part because the studies did not have data on the long term effects. Today health officials know that there are some risks associated with the different types of hormone replacement therapy. They now know that there is an elevated risk of developing breast cancer. There is also the risk for developing cardiovascular problems. Women also have to be aware that risks could include high blood pressure, increased risk of uterine cancer and even blood clots.

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Women who are experiencing symptoms like depression and hot flashes when going through menopause sometimes end up using antidepressants to battle these symptoms. Should you take antidepressants when feeling the pressure of menopausal symptoms and the discomfort of hot flashes? Is it wise to take antidepressants when your doctor gives you these medications to help ease the discomfort you are feeling? There are a few pros and cons to taking antidepressants when experiencing some of the symptoms of menopause and it is important that a woman know the good and the bad side of this strategy.

Menopause Is Not a Mental Illness

One fact that is important for women to get straight is that menopause is not a mental ailment. Therefore, the constant use of antidepressants to relieve oneself of the burden of hot flashes during menopause should be avoided. Menopause is not in any way a mental disorder, therefore the treatment of symptoms of menopause with the use of antidepressants should be questioned if not scrutinized. While women in the past found relief from such medications when they entered their middle years and started feeling the trying symptoms that menopause brings, women these days actually have a choice. To be able to make that choice, let us find out how antidepressants help menopausal women handle their symptoms.

What Can Menopause Antidepressants Do?

What exactly can menopause antidepressants do for women who take them? Since antidepressants are often taken when women who are going through menopause experience hot flashes, let us evaluate how hot flashes are remedied by this medication. According to one theory, hot flashes are reputed to occur due to the disruption of the serotonin balance in a woman’s body. Since serotonin is also reputed to help control the body’s temperature, the imbalance of the serotonin levels in a woman’s system causes the hypothalamus to react to these confused signals and tries to get the body to cool down. This is when a woman starts to sweat and experience hot flashes. Since antidepressants are said to have components that help restore balance to the hypothalamus, it essentially helps reduce the occurrence of hot flashes in menopausal women.

Are Antidepressants Really Effective for Menopausal Women?

While there is not much proof of the effectiveness of antidepressants for women who suffer from hot flashes, some doctors continue to prescribe these medicines to women who are experiencing hot flashes during menopause. There have been studies that seem to suggest that the effect brought about by the ingestion of these antidepressants by menopausal women is nothing but a placebo effect. Some studies also suggest that the taking of these antidepressants for a long period to help alleviate the discomfort of hot flashes is not worth all the side effects some women experience. With these findings, a lot of women are now questioning doctors about the prescription of antidepressants for their menopausal problems. They often question the logic of taking antidepressants when they are not experiencing depression with their menopause. Since these antidepressants were formulated to treat mental health conditions and major depression, prescribing it even for mild depression much less for menopause is not advisable, even if it may offer a quick fix to those hot flashes a woman may feel.

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The stage of menopause in every woman’s life is a different experience for each one. Even with the same characteristic of having one’s estrogen levels lower and coupled with the cessation of reproductive processes, each individual who undergoes this has a different story to remember and probably tell on how they cope up with it. Many factors come into play with this, among which are perceptions, internal factors, environment, body coping mechanisms, and even both acute and chronic illnesses.

In A Nutshell

When a woman undergoes menopause, the different body systems, as well as the altered feedback mechanisms go through an overhaul as it tries to compensate for the loss of estrogen. The body tries to achieve homeostasis even with something lacking. In the event that there are other internal factors that further complicate things such as an existing sickness or a chronic illness, the imbalance within may further develop and worsen the current health state of the person.

When Diabetes Is Present

Diabetes is a chronic illness common to many people. It may be developed such as Type II diabetes or acquired during fetal development such as Type I diabetes. Both types have one thing in common: that the body is unable to produce enough insulin effect to synthesize the existing sugar in the blood, which therefore increases the overall amount flowing through the body systems.

What To Expect

Menopause and diabetes may work hand in hand in amplifying the negative effects currently present. For one, changes in blood sugar level may be more evident and fluctuating. Since estrogen and progesterone affects the way cells react to insulin, any fluctuations in the levels of the former would also directly affect the way blood sugar is synthesized. A woman having both health statuses may experience abrupt fluctuations.

Infections are also expected to rise because of the added fact that bacteria and yeast are able to invade and enter the vaginal area more easily as there is a decrease in estrogen which protects it from them in the first place. Having diabetes complicates things further by lessening the immune system’s responses to such attacks.

Another thing to consider is having sleeping problems. As this is evident to many women having post menopausal symptoms, the much needed sleep may aggravate the blood sugar regulation as people who lack sleep have a harder time managing their sugar levels.

No Easy Way But Strict Monitoring

These may have to be part of some women for a lifetime and there is no way out. However, those who are about to be in this situation, as well as those who are already in this, it would just be wise to observe proper diet and maintain proper hydration and health practices. It may be unfortunate that therapeutic regimen would have to be administered throughout, but saving one’s self from further complications would definitely be better than not.

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There are many thoughts that come into play when the term menopause is stated. Many misconceptions and errors regarding the facts supporting the whole idea of this stage in a woman’s life are being entertained as valid facts and figures. These may ultimately mislead women into the wrong way of thinking about this phenomenon, and actually may have biases prior to the actual event.

Physiological Alterations

The actual phenomenon is only considered as such after a full year of the last menstrual period. At this time, it would then be safe to determine that there has been a consistent alteration in the reproductive system in which the capability to produce and support life through conception.

There are several signs and symptoms which would indicate that the fateful day is fast approaching.

Bleeding Duration And Frequency

Probably the most common sign to look out for in an upcoming menopause is to check for the bleeding pattern of menstruation. A persistent irregularity in menstrual pattern from a previously regular interval and duration is a strong indicator that the person is on her way to being in that stage. Some bleeding patterns include episodes of excessive bleeding, bleeding between periods, and decreased bleeding output.

Hot Flashes And Chills

Another common pre emptive symptom is the mild hot flashes. Unlike the full blown hot flashes experienced once it has fully set in, these mild hot flashes are slight feelings of internal warmth originating from any part of the body, and are potentially spread to nearby body areas. Furthermore, another difference would be that the duration of such sensation occurs only from a few seconds to a few minutes as opposed to several minutes. Chills, which occur after the main episode of a full blown hot flash, are not expected to be present during the preemptive stage’s similar symptom.

Reproductive System Slowdown

Vaginal changes are becoming more and more evident as one reaches menopause. For one, the changes in hormonal levels at this stage are altered. One of the most important hormones responsible for a sound menstruation is Estrogen. Since its production is significantly lessened, the activity of the reproductive organs such as the uterus, ovaries and the vagina are allocated with less focus. This in turn would cause the uterus to shrink a bit in size, the ovaries to stop working and producing egg cells, and the vagina having a harder time producing lubrication.

There are other symptoms which may also occur such as bone loss, increased cholesterol levels, weight gain, and the popular mood changes. However, these are not directly and solely linked to this condition, and are considered to be more of lifestyle related outcomes.

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There are plenty of ways to determine whether menopause is coming to knock on your door. Your menstrual cycle is bound to suffer irregularities, as well as visible physical and emotional changes that can be very unbearable if you aren’t informed of it in advanced.

In most cases, women who are expecting a visit from this condition are consulting their health care provider to undergo various tests to get a rough estimate on when they feel the full brunt of menopausal or might be the result of other health conditions that you should be aware of.

Menopausal Women and Their Hormone Levels

The visible change in a menopausal woman’s emotional, sexual, and physical state is brought about by the gradual change in their hormone levels. Estrogen — a hormone that is in charge of maintaining the proper process of their reproductive system and other functions in their anatomy — is the main culprit that started these problems. Decrease of other hormones, like progesterone, may also trigger some abnormalities as well.

Keep in mind, however, that by determining the visible signs and symptoms may not be enough to diagnose if a woman is under the throes of menopausal. There is a possibility that these overt signals may be the cause of other health problems that might constitute a risk if left unchecked.

The only way to accurately check whether you are already in the pre-menopausal stage or is getting near the actual menopause condition is to have your blood test with your health care provider to take steps to counteract the more annoying and unbearable symptoms that comes with it.

Blood Testing

Undergoing a blood test is one way to determine whether you’re already in the menopausal stage or not. You don’t have to let the doctor look at your vagina just to know that it’s coming. This non-invasive way of determining the condition involves checking your level of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and other hormonal levels in the blood that is related to menopause.

Start of the menopausal cycle is usually brought about by the gradual decrease of your estrogen and progesterone levels. As your reproductive system starts to degrade, less functioning ovaries are developed that results to the drop in production of these much-needed hormones. Physical and emotional changes are evident when this hormonal imbalance takes place.

Also, it is quite possible that the signs and symptoms you are experiencing might not be related to this condition at all. Blood tests make it possible to determine if there are other health conditions that are triggering menopausal-like symptoms that might pose a bigger risk to your body.

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