Menopause and Memory Loss

Losing a loved one to Alzheimer’s is a heart-wrenching experience. It’s a slow and steady decline that robs them of their memories, their personality, and ultimately, their life. But what’s even worse than watching your loved one forget who you are? It’s being the only person they do recognize. Trust me, there is nothing cinematic about it.

After my mother passed away from Alzheimer’s in 2016, I started taking any forgetfulness quite seriously. So when I began experiencing memory lapses in 2021, I was terrified. Was it just normal aging or something more sinister? 

I went to a neurologist who didn’t take my concerns seriously, but given my family history, he agreed that I could get an MRI. Thankfully, nothing came up, and blood work indicated vitamin D and B-12 deficiencies, so I started taking supplements. 

As a woman in her mid-fifties who had entered menopause, I started researching “brain fog.” It’s a term that’s thrown around a lot, but what does it actually mean? Is it real or just a myth? I found a lot of references to it online, but none of them tied memory issues back to a clinically-proven link to menopausal changes. Mostly I found references to it being “reported by women” going through menopause, and “reasonable ideas,” such as being linked to sleep disorders, which also may be related to menopause. Or Alzheimer’s?

It’s frustrating that there seems to be more brain fog humor than brain fog research out there. Although I was encouraged to see this study, it feels like very few take this issue seriously. And that makes me very angry. Which some genius will suggest is also a symptom of menopause.

If this topic resonates with you, I highly recommend reading The XX Brain by Dr. Lisa Mosconi. It provides valuable insights into menopause and memory loss.

On a positive note, my memory has improved significantly since 2021, likely thanks to the vitamin B-12 supplements. Plus, a new job has been a great boost!

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your experiences with us at Foreverbetty. Don’t forget to comment below and connect with us on IG and FB. Let’s keep this conversation going!