How menopause affects the brain | Lisa Mosconi
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Published 2020-04-13
Many of the symptoms of menopause -- hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, memory lapses, depression and anxiety -- start in the brain. How exactly does menopause impact cognitive health? Sharing groundbreaking findings from her research, neuroscientist Lisa Mosconi reveals how decreasing hormonal levels affect brain aging -- and shares simple lifestyle changes you can make to support lifelong brain health.
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All Comments (21)
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My heart goes out to the countless millions of women who suffered through things like this who were dismissed by men as just being ‘emotional’.
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I’m 47, in peri and it is BRUTAL! no one tells you what to expect or how truly bad it can get.
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So SORRY to all my fellow sisters who are suffering. I LOVE you all!
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I had almost stopped watching TEDs because so many of them fail to convey anything useful. But this lady not only provides reassurance but also advises middle-aged women. Thank you!
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Just started menopause during the pandemic. I meditate, practice loving kindness and accept my body with whatever it needs to do. Dance/yoga is helpful. Let's keep sending positive energy and laughter to one another. Be kind to your brain!
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I’m 80. My grandmother told me when I was really young (too young I thought), that “women ‘go mad’ when they go through ‘the change’”. I had no idea what she was talking about but she managed to terrify me. When I started the menopause and felt something was really wrong, her words came back to me. I went straight to my GP, was put on HRT ❤️ and had no problems thereafter
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What a sweet woman to validate her fellow woman that they are not crazy. Women go thru so much and it’s nice to have some support ❤️💓
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We are so saturated in learning about reproduction for 1/3 of our lifespan that we have almost totally missed the other 1/3 that has to do with menopause.
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I’m 48 and this year I have really begun feeling like my body is starting to transition into menopause. It felt like overnight that I began gaining weight, having bad joint pain, and emotionally just falling apart. I had my only child at 43 and I feel like I went from feeling like a vibrant women to now feeling like my body has waged war on itself. I’m glad that we are living in a time where we are finally starting conversations about all aspects of life. I want to move into this phase with grace; right now though it’s difficult.
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I’m 26 and my mum is going through menopause I think. I feel like she really hates me but I’m here researching it because I want to help. Also I’d like my children to care when I go through it one day.
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Menopause is killing me......it's been really tough. I don't seem to know who I am anymore?! I miss the old me but I know she is never coming back. I just need to accept that this is how we were created and hope it gets better. It's like a loooooong scary roller coaster ride with no end in sight.
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This woman’s voice is so calming.
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I've had absolutely no symptoms of menopause at 53 periods have just stopped. I'm very happy about that!
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Thank you, Lisa! I am 43 years old. My menopause was caused by medical surgery! It was hard, it is still very hard... You made me cry... I am not the same... But I know that I will keep on looking for answers and people like you are amazing in providing information that even my doctors seem not to have... They did not talk to me about the impact this forced menopause would have in my brain... In my quality of life... It's painful...
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I'm almost 52...going into menopause and my health is just out of whack. I have SO many different things going on: sweating, dizziness, joint pain, weight gain, headaches, stomach and digestion issues. I really hope my doctors can help me, because it's really affecting my life.
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For me the number one most helpful thing you spoke about was how women think they might be going crazy when in reality it is their brain in menopause causing symptoms like anxiety and depression. This happened to me. I went to a therapist and a psychiatrist. They never took in account anything wrong with my body. No, everything was in my brain and I was ‘’ crazy ‘’. Thank- You so much for your talk and valuable validation to say we are not crazy. We make decisions to take powerful medications with side effects to manage anxiety and depression. We live with the stigma of being mentally ill. I hope your message gets to other women before it is too late.
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TED: please bring her again and again to talk more about all this. Can you do a more indepth interview?
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Chemo wiped my body out. Went from early peri to all the way thru menopause in 4 months. I lost who I was. The pain was unbearable and felt like I was going to spontaneously combust. It’s taken 5 years to see actual recovery and to feel myself again.
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Love listening to someone who knows what a woman is
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My menopause started at 40 with the onset of the pandemic and I honestly thought I was losing my mind. I have also suddenly developed epilepsy. Thank you for making me feel like I'm not alone.
