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Good article on brain changes in menopause

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Sabine_Stroehm
Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,251 Member
edited November 2024 in Social Groups
http://www.prevention.com/health/menopause-brain-effects

I particularly liked this bit:
Healthy lifestyle changes not only help you cope better but can literally diminish symptoms. Bitner advocates what she calls the SEEDS—the Seven Essential Elements of Daily Success to track. The list includes good sleep, water intake, fiber, exercise (including steps or minutes of aerobic activity), strength training, and stretching, nutrition (including servings of healthy carbs, protein and fat, vitamins including Vitamin D, calcium, and a multivitamin), and moments of gratitude and measured breathing. New findings presented at the 2015 North American Menopause Society

But admit I was also intrigued by what seems to be yet another reversal with respect to HRT. Or at least an adjustment.

Replies

  • aamundsoncpa
    aamundsoncpa Posts: 77 Member
    It's always reassuring to read articles such as this - to know I'm not the only one dealing with these symptoms or think I'm going totally crazy, senile or old!!
  • TheGaudyMagpie
    TheGaudyMagpie Posts: 282 Member
    I encountered no negativity whatsoever from my healthcare providers regarding HRT. My primary at the time I started it actually uses it and cites quality of life issues. The big study that turned everyone against HRT has largely been qualified, and there's some indication that HRT does reduce all-cause mortality rates when started early. I believe that most of the extreme negativity is based on outdated thinking and a lot of the more progressive doctors have changed their opinions on it.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,251 Member
    edited December 2015
    TheGaudyMagpie wrote: »
    I encountered no negativity whatsoever from my healthcare providers regarding HRT. My primary at the time I started it actually uses it and cites quality of life issues. The big study that turned everyone against HRT has largely been qualified, and there's some indication that HRT does reduce all-cause mortality rates when started early. I believe that most of the extreme negativity is based on outdated thinking and a lot of the more progressive doctors have changed their opinions on it.

    I've never had an OBGYN who was opposed to it either. (Only popular media) My former one was less well versed and just proposed BCP to manage symptoms. My new one requested blood work and suggested bio-identical estrogen and progesterone transdermally. She agreed that the WHI studies have been largely qualified. Her key issues were that it used conjugated "estrogen" and synthetic progestin and that it started much later than menopause. She also believes that since heart disease is the number one cause of death in women, and that HRT protects the heart it's worth considering.
    My former OBGYN was in her 20s, so it was purely theoretical for her. My new OBGYN uses (bio-identical) HRT.
  • TheGaudyMagpie
    TheGaudyMagpie Posts: 282 Member
    What's funny is that most people seem comfortable with BCP, but that's a higher dose of hormones and carries a higher risk (it's also generally ingested vs absorbed, which is another risk issue). I'm 47, so I'm a little early and osteoporosis is a concern and estrogen helps guard against that. I'm on bio-identical estrogen via patch, but synthetic progesterone. Since I started, I've lost about four inches from my waistline and was able to become a lot more physically active, and I feel that just those things alone will improve my general health enough to offset a lot of risks.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,251 Member
    edited December 2015
    TheGaudyMagpie wrote: »
    What's funny is that most people seem comfortable with BCP, but that's a higher dose of hormones and carries a higher risk (it's also generally ingested vs absorbed, which is another risk issue). I'm 47, so I'm a little early and osteoporosis is a concern and estrogen helps guard against that. I'm on bio-identical estrogen via patch, but synthetic progesterone. Since I started, I've lost about four inches from my waistline and was able to become a lot more physically active, and I feel that just those things alone will improve my general health enough to offset a lot of risks.
    Yes that is an interesting dichotomy isn't it?
    Congrats on the improvements!
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    a good read.I am certainly brain dead. I have a good day,, then 4 bad days.I was the most happiest go lucky chick, nothing brought me down!, I am struggling but remaining tough and trying to conquer.thanks for this... very interesting
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