Am I going crazy or am I menopausal!

30 Sep Am I going crazy or am I menopausal!

Am I going crazy or am I menopausal!

Memory problems can be a major symptom for peri/menopausal women due to declining levels of female hormones and is one of the most common reasons why women come to see me in clinic. Female hormones such as oestrogen and testosterone play a major role in cognition and memory and when these hormones decrease, we can then run into problems with memory such as forgetting names, lack of concentration and confusion. Our brains are all about supply and demand and oestrogen helps supply the brain with energy and a reduction of this important hormone can trigger a whole host of cognitive symptoms. Testosterone, although perceived as a male hormone, is a vital component in female reproductive hormones and strengthens nerves in the brain whilst helping to keep us alert and focussed whilst supplying blood to the brain to help keep our brains healthy and working optimally.

The cognitive symptoms of menopause for some women can be the most debilitating of all, with women being wrongly prescribed antidepressant medications by their GPs when what they really need is their hormones looking at! Some women’s symptoms can be so severe that they think they have a serious disorder such as early onset dementia. Other menopausal symptoms such as a lack of sleep and emotional distress can worsen these symptoms and a multifaceted approach is needed to help manage these symptoms. Modern HRT is excellent for menopausal symptoms, but some women prefer to use natural alternatives such as herbs, diet, and lifestyle interventions. Another option is to use the lowest dose of HRT whilst incorporating a regime of herbal medicines alongside for optimal health outcomes.

Diet

Food nourishes the brain, and our brains are greedy organs needing a steady and constant source of glucose provided throughout the day. A diet rich in unrefined carbohydrates such as wholegrain bread, rice and pasta is a much better choice than the white refined foods that cause an imbalance of blood sugar and spikes in insulin. Eating every few hours, aim for five to six small nutritious meals a day that include good quality protein such as nuts and seeds for healthy blood sugar balance. 

The type of fat eaten is vitally important for good brain function, saturated fats found in animal products can impede circulation and block arteries supplying nutrient rich oxygen and blood to the brain. Hydrogenated fats are the big one to avoid as they encourage hardening of brain cells. It is still important to remember that the brain is 70% fat, so the brain needs certain types of healthy fats to support its function. Foods rich in essential fats such as oily fish, nuts, seeds, and green leafy vegetables are good dietary choices to keep our brains working optimally.

Herbs I use in clinic with great benefits for cognitive health include the amazing… 

• Bacopa monierri 
• Rosmarinus officinalis
• Centella asiatica
• Panax ginseng
• Gingko biloba 

For a personal consultation and bespoke medicine for your particular concerns, get in touch at mhnhealth01@gmail.com or browse our shop for a ready-made basic tincture and/or tea for cognitive health. 

Collette Casey, BScHons Herbal Medicine, CNMNutDip