Average Transition Age
Around the age of 50, most women are in transition. Your menstrual cycle starts to vary until it stops completely. The hormonal fluctuations that occur here, especially of estrogen and progesterone, are responsible for both physical and mental complaints. In addition to hot flushes and night sweats, these fluctuations can lead to irritability, concentration problems and forgetfulness.
Female Hormones and the Brain
Both men and women have estrogen and progesterone in their bodies, but in women the amount of these hormones fluctuates during the menstrual cycle and decreases dramatically during the transition. These hormones affect many processes in our body, including our brains. Especially the brain areas that are related to memory, emotions, heart rate, hunger, body temperature and sleep-watch rhythm are sensitive to oestrogen and progesterone. The decrease in these hormones can lead to symptoms such as forgetfulness, mood swings and sleep problems.
Oestrogen and Brain Cells
Oestrogens affect brain cells in various ways, changing the activity of neurotransmitters, the substances that transmit signals between brain cells, and stimulating nerve outgrowth while reducing cell death. This makes oestrogens play an important role in keeping your brain healthy.
During the transition, the production of oestrogen in the ovaries stops abruptly. This causes irregular hormone levels, leading to mood swings such as sudden irritations or crying showers.
Forgetfulness during the Transition
A common psychological complaint during the transition is forgetfulness, a sign that the cognitive functions of the brain are decreasing. Research has shown that memory problems occur mainly in the first phase after the last menstrual period. Women in the transition have difficulty remembering new information, retrieving old memories and short-term memory. Brain areas responsible for memory and learning contain many oestrogen receptors, but it is still unclear whether the decrease in oestrogens is directly responsible for these complaints. Fortunately, cognitive problems usually disappear after the transition.
By understanding how the transition affects your brain, you can better deal with the psychological and physical changes that this phase of life entails.
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