Both men and women experience brain fog and mood changes associated with aging and hormonal imbalances. The complex relationship between memory and mood is something that researchers continue to study, but the evidence is clear that memory loss and mood swings are related to hormonal changes that occur during menopause and andropause.
In this blog post, we answer questions about these conditions and how hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in Baton Rouge and near New Orleans at Rejuvime Medical can help reduce brain fog and moodiness. These conditions go beyond having something occasionally slip your mind or feeling cranky every so often. Age-related memory loss and mood changes can affect a person’s quality of life and are often not the only symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
How do hormonal changes cause brain fog and mood swings?
Changing levels of estrogen and progesterone in women during menstrual cycles are associated with mood changes for women throughout most of their lives. As estrogen levels drop during perimenopause and menopause, some women experience changes in their cognitive and mental health. For men, low testosterone levels (low T) can increase symptoms of anxiety and depression, along with loss of memory. Estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone also contribute to blood flow in your brain which helps protect against loss of memory and even dementia.
Are mood changes more common for either men or women?
Even though men and women can both experience moodiness related to hormonal changes, depressive symptoms tend to increase more for women who experience significant changes in estrogen levels during physiological transitions such as pregnancy and menopause.
What else can cause mood changes and memory loss?
Dramatic changes in hormone levels are associated with a number of symptoms, such as sleeplessness, fatigue, and low libido, that are often related to mood swings and brain fog. Insomnia, for example, can lead to fatigue, which in turn may cause cognitive issues. People who normally have healthy sex drives may become depressed because of reduced libido. Our hormone specialists in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas understand how the interrelationships of these factors can affect someone’s overall health.
Can memory loss be a symptom of a more serious condition?
Some patients we see at Rejuvime Medical wonder if brain fog is the beginning of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Memory loss is usually a normal sign of aging, especially during menopause or andropause, and isn’t permanent. Poor sleep, stress, and other factors also contribute to brain fog. More serious memory lapses, such as getting lost in familiar places, having trouble following conversations, or missing appointments, are not typical.
How do I know if hormone replacement therapy can help?
When you come to Rejuvime Medical, our hormone specialists take a full health history and conduct blood tests to help determine if you can benefit from HRT. If you are a good candidate, we customize our treatments with the goal of managing symptoms using the lowest possible doses. Medically monitored hormone replacement therapy means we can periodically adjust the treatment, depending on your hormone levels.
If you’re experiencing mood changes or memory loss and believe the issues are related to hormonal imbalance, contact us at Rejuvime Medical using the online form or give our clinic a call at (225) 960-1580.
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