Jump to content

Choose locationChoose Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location

We've expanded your view

You are now viewing all services in the Sutter Health network. You can change your location above to narrow your view to a medical group, hospital, city or zip.
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Diseases & Conditions
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Ask an Expert
  • Perimenopause and Memory Impairment
Content

Ask An Expert

Perimenopause and Memory Impairment

Toni J. Brayer

Toni J. Brayer, M.D.

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

California Pacific Medical Center

Question:

Could the hormonal changes I'm experiencing during perimenopause be affecting my memory? I've heard a lot of references to "meno-fog."

Answer:

Almost two-thirds of women complain of memory impairment during menopause and after childbirth, when hormones are in flux. This "brain fog" is common and likely is influenced by estrogen. We do have estrogen receptors on the brain and estrogen stimulates neurotransmitters which are involved in processing information. Estrogen also stimulates blood vessels that increase blood flow to the brain. Given that estrogen has been shown to have beneficial effects on brain function, researchers hypothesize that the fluctuations in estrogen that occur during perimenopause might compromise memory and other brain functions.

A study published in Neurology showed that women do not learn as well during early and late perimenopause, when periods are irregular but have not disappeared altogether. The changes were quite subtle, however and the good news is that the deficits were temporary and women bounced back after menopause. The study showed that after menopause, a woman's cognitive function was back to the pre-menopause level.

Related Questions

Question
  • Clitoris Changes with Age
    Does the clitoris disappear with age? After 70?
  • Can Estrogen Withdrawl Cause Digestive Problems?
    I'm a senior citizen in good health. I stopped taking estrogen two months ago. Within 10 days I started having soft, gray colored stools and gas. A recent colonoscopy test was normal. I don't eat dairy products. Could stopping estrogen be the cause?
  • Painful Intercourse Causes and Treatment
    I'm a woman (60) who had not had sex for 10 years. I recently decided to start again, but intercourse was very painful. I have tried several times, but with the same results. What causes this pain and what can I do that will help?
  • How Does BMI Relate to Overall Health?
    I'm 54, eat well and exercise five times per week. Yet my BMI is 27, which translates as obese. Is a BMI of 27 really that indicative of my overall health?
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy and Stroke Risk
    What are the effects of hormone replacement therapy on a person who has a history of lacunar stroke?

Back to Brain Health and Memory

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Annual Report
  • Awards
  • Community Benefit
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Giving
  • Find Care

  • Birth Centers
  • Care Centers
  • Emergency Rooms
  • Hospitals
  • Imaging
  • Labs
  • Surgery Centers
  • Urgent Care
  • Walk-In Care
  • View All >
  • Featured Services

  • Behavioral Health
  • Cancer Services
  • Family Medicine
  • Home Health and Hospice
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics
  • Pregnancy
  • Primary Care
  • Women's Health
  • View All >
  • Patient Resources

  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Classes and Events
  • Estimate Costs
  • Flu Resources
  • Health and Wellness
  • Medical Records
  • Medicare
  • My Health Online
  • Pay a Bill
  • Symptom Checker
  • Our Team

  • For Employees
  • Physician Careers
  • Recruiting Events
  • Sutter Careers
  • Vendors
  • Volunteers
    • ADA Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    • LinkedIn Opens new window
    • YouTube Opens new window
    • Facebook Opens new window
    • Twitter Opens new window
    • Glassdoor Opens new window
    • Instagram Opens new window

    Copyright © 2021 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

    Cookie Policy

    We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

    Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences