Menopause Related Mood and Memory Problems

Posted by: Nutritionist Karen Roth March 8, 2010 No Comments

Are you feeling withdrawn, finding yourself caring less about things that used to matter?  Are you experiencing mood swings, feeling less confident and maybe even depressed?  Do you find it difficult to find the right word when speaking or writing, or having trouble remembering names or events?

If this is you, you’re not alone.  Many women experience mood and memory problems which are affected by Hormone Imbalance.

And, it’s not just one hormone that is responsible.  Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone can all contribute to mood and memory problems.  Estrogens, for example, are needed for normal function of neurotransmitters that affect mood and memory. They can significantly improve or alleviate depression in post menopausal women. Estrogen also enhances reasoning skills, specifically verbal memory which is the ability to remember names and words.

When Progesterone levels drop, a woman can experience withdrawals similar to those  seen with sedatives, tranquilizers and alcohol. Excessive levels may cause decreased coordination, slowed reflexes, depression and impaired memory and reasoning skills. In fact, the nerve calming effect of progesterone is so pronounced that both natural and synthetic progesterone have been shown to decrease seizures in women with epilepsy. Progesterone has a protective, stimulating effect on breathing patterns during sleep, resulting in decreased incidence of sleep apnea, a serious condition in which the body is deprived of oxygen.

Inadequate levels of Testosterone have a significant negative effect on mood, personal sense of well being, interpersonal relationship, self-confidence and self worth.

The most advanced approach to managing hormone imbalance is to reject the “One-Size-Fits-All” approach and meet the unique needs of each individual woman.  The good news is, mood and memory disorders can respond positively to nutritional and herbal remedies. And the better news is they work to “Restore” not “Replace” a woman’s natural hormones. For more information on these services, click here.

To learn more about safe and natural options for alleviating symptoms of hormone imbalance, and other health conditions, contact Karen Roth at 818-400-5410 or visit www.KarenRothNutrition.com Offices in Carlsbad, Sorrento Valley and Mission Valley in San Diego.

Author: Nutritionist Karen Roth
Karen Roth, MS, CNC holds a Masters of Science Degree in Holistic Nutrition from Hawthorn University. She earned her undergraduate degree from UC Irvine. Karen shares her knowledge to empower her clients to take control of their health with food choices that best support their specific health condition.