Recent studies have shown that severe menopausal symptoms can affect brain health in women. By 2040, cases are expected to double, reaching 81.1 million globally.

Severe menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and depression, may negatively affect cognitive function in postmenopausal women, a new study out Wednesday found. Globally, more than 24 million people are living with dementia. As the global population ages, dementia diagnoses are increasing. An estimated 4.6 million new cases are diagnosed each year, meaning one person is diagnosed with dementia every 7 seconds.

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How does menopause increase the risk of dementia?

By 2040, dementia cases are expected to double, reaching 81.1 million globally. In a new study involving nearly 1,300 late-post-menopausal women from nine Latin American countries, researchers found that severe menopausal symptoms — such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances and mood disorders — were associated with cognitive impairment.

The study raises the question of whether treating hot flashes effectively with hormone therapy or other approved therapies can improve cognitive functions such as memory, attention, language, and executive function. However, this remains uncertain. In a paper published in the journal Menopause, the researchers concluded that cognitive health is influenced by a complex interplay of hormonal, lifestyle and sociodemographic factors.

“This study showed a possible association between severe menopausal symptoms and cognitive impairment in middle-aged women,” said Dr. said Stephanie Faubion, medical director of The Menopause Society. “The results also suggest a protective effect of low body mass index, high educational level, physical exercise, use of hormone therapy, and sexual activity on cognition, highlighting the potential for targeted interventions to protect and preserve cognitive function in postmenopausal women.” According to medical experts, 40 percent of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, can be prevented or delayed.

This has led to considerable interest in identifying risk factors, particularly the role of estradiol in female cognitive aging. After menopause, postmenopausal women are at increased risk of dementia due to a decline in estrogen.

(Inputs: IANS)