March 17, 2025 (HealthDay News) - Are you aware that the struggles many women face during menopause could have lasting effects on their mental sharpness and behavior later in life? A groundbreaking study published on March 5 in the journal PLOS ONE delves into this alarming connection.

Led by Jasper F.E. Crockford from the University of Calgary, Canada, this research examined data from 896 postmenopausal women. The results revealed a concerning correlation: those experiencing a greater burden of menopausal symptoms tended to score significantly lower on cognitive assessments. Specifically, participants exhibited higher scores on both the Everyday Cognition (ECog-II) Scale and the Mild Behavioral Impairment Checklist (MBI-C), indicating noticeable cognitive and behavioral challenges.

The statistics are eye-opening: women with increased menopausal symptoms had an average increase of 5.37 points in cognitive impairment and 6.09 points in behavioral symptoms. While hormone therapy did not show a direct positive impact on cognitive function scores, it was linked to a significant reduction in mild behavioral impairment scores, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue worth exploring.

Crockford and his team emphasize the broader implications of their findings, stating, “The experience of menopause may indicate susceptibility to cognitive and behavioral changes, which are early markers of dementia.” This revelation has led experts to call for more awareness and research into the cognitive health of women during and after their transition through menopause.

As this study underscores the importance of recognizing menopausal symptoms, it opens the door to vital conversations about women’s health in midlife. Could incorporating hormone therapy during menopause truly safeguard cognitive function? Women and healthcare providers alike need to stay informed about these critical issues that can shape later life.

Stay tuned as more research unfolds on this significant health topic that could affect millions!