At the Livelong Women’s Health Summit in New York, UCLA neurologist Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl urged women to use a personal benchmark when they notice memory slips. Rather than assuming a serious neurological condition, she suggests asking, “Am I worse than I was ten years ago?”
Why a decade matters
Dr. Voskuhl explained that many women in midlife experience what is commonly called menopause‑related brain fog. Hormone shifts, especially the loss of estrogen, can cause temporary lapses in word‑finding, slower processing speed, and occasional forgetfulness. By recalling how they performed cognitively a decade earlier, women can gauge whether current changes are within the expected range of hormonal transition.
She likened the experience to a veteran NFL player who feels weaker despite a normal neurological exam. “If somebody is an NFL football player and he says, ‘I’m weaker than I used to be,’ and I go and do my neurological test, I say, ‘Oh no, you’re still strong,’” Dr. Voskuhl said. “What the player is feeling still matters, even if a standard test shows no obvious decline.”
Distinguishing fog from dementia
Medical experts note that standard memory tests often miss subtle shifts in everyday cognition, a condition known as subjective cognitive decline. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports roughly one in nine adults experience this, yet fewer than half discuss it with a healthcare professional.
Menopause‑related brain fog typically involves inconsistent lapses—misplacing items, slower processing, occasional word‑finding trouble—while overall reasoning and independence remain intact. By contrast, early dementia presents with persistent, progressive memory loss that interferes with daily tasks such as managing finances, navigating familiar routes, or exercising sound judgment.
Practical steps for women
Dr. Voskuhl recommends women keep a mental journal of their cognitive abilities, noting any changes in multitasking, word recall, or processing speed. If the “10‑year rule” reveals a noticeable decline, she advises seeking a comprehensive medical evaluation, which may include brain MRI, vascular screening, or thyroid testing to rule out other underlying conditions.
Women who feel dismissed by their doctors should consider finding a practitioner who listens to their concerns. “When they have doctors who don’t listen to them, they need to find another doctor,” Dr. Voskuhl said.
Potential protective role of hormone therapy
Research cited by Dr. Voskuhl indicates that women who begin common hormone therapy in their 50s may experience a 23% lower risk of developing dementia later in life. While hormone therapy is not a universal solution, it underscores the importance of personalized medical guidance during the menopausal transition.
Understanding the difference between hormonal brain fog and neurodegenerative disease empowers women to take proactive steps for their cognitive health, aligning personal observations with professional medical insight.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
