As new research suggests that dementia can be triggered in women during hormonal changes, Maria Lally reportson how HRT is key to an all-round healthier brain

Judith Graham, a 52-year-old events planner, visited her doctor in 2017 with symptoms including low mood, irritability and forgetfulness. I was used to organising business events all over the world, flying groups of fifteen people to the US and putting together detailed itineraries. But then I began to struggle to concentrate in meetings, I forgot names, and I had real flashes of anger over minor things my children or husband did.

Worse were her low moods. I suffered terribly from postnatal depression after the birth of my son eighteen years ago, and it felt a bit like that. After years of feeling bright, organised and capable, everything felt like a struggle. I saw my doctor who prescribed antidepressants, and while they kept my mood stable, it wasnt until I saw a new GP seven months later who knew about the menopause, that she suggested I wasnt depressed at all but that the menopause was causing my symptoms. I was given hormone replacement therapy and my brain fog and depression disappeared.

The menopause has long been associated with brain fog, but experts are now investigating a possible link with cognitive decline and even dementia, after it was found that two thirds of Alzheimers patients are women.

Continue reading here:
Why the link between the menopause and Alzheimer's isn't all bad news for midlife women - Telegraph.co.uk

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