A recent study by researchers at Cambridge University has revealed that menopause is linked to significant changes in brain structure, increased levels of anxiety and depression, and sleep disturbances in women.
Menopause is a natural stage in a woman's life, during which menstruation ceases due to declining hormone levels, typically occurring between the ages of 45 and 55. This stage is accompanied by various symptoms, including hot flashes, mood swings, sleep disturbances, and a decline in some cognitive abilities such as memory and attention.
The study analyzed data from approximately 125,000 women in the UK Biobank, categorized into three groups: premenopausal women, postmenopausal women who did not use hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and postmenopausal women who did use HRT. Participants also completed questionnaires about their mental and general health and sleep patterns, and some underwent cognitive tests and MRI scans.
The results showed that postmenopausal women were more likely to experience anxiety and depression, seek medical help, and use antidepressants, compared to premenopausal women. They also reported higher rates of insomnia, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.
The study showed that women who used hormone replacement therapy reported high levels of anxiety and depression, but analyses showed that these symptoms were present in them before menopause, suggesting that in some cases the treatment was prescribed to prevent the worsening of symptoms.
On the cognitive side, researchers observed a slower response time in postmenopausal women who did not receive hormone replacement therapy, compared to others, while no clear differences were recorded in memory tests between the different groups.
Brain scans also revealed a decrease in gray matter volume in postmenopausal women, particularly in areas responsible for memory, emotions, and decision-making, such as the hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex, and entorhinal cortex.
Professor Barbara Sahakian, who supervised the study, pointed out that these are the same areas that are usually affected by Alzheimer's disease, which may increase the likelihood of developing it later, and contribute to explaining the higher rates of dementia in women compared to men.
In this context, Dr. Christelle Langley stressed the importance of paying attention to mental health during this stage, following a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise and balanced nutrition, and not hesitating to seek medical or psychological support when needed.
This study underscores the importance of raising awareness about the effects of menopause, not only on physical health, but also on the brain and mental state, which contributes to improving the quality of life for women at this pivotal stage.
