Menopause and Brain Health: What Women Need to Know

Menopause is often viewed primarily as a reproductive transition, but it is also an important brain health transition. During this stage of life, hormonal changes interact with sleep, mood, hot flashes and other vasomotor symptoms, stress, and overall health in ways that may influence how women think, feel, and function. For some women, these changes may manifest as difficulties with memory, concentration, and mental energy, often described as brain fog. For others, the effects on brain health may be less noticeable but are still an important part of the menopause experience.

Menopause and Brain Health: What Women Need to Know, developed by the Milken Institute Women’s Health Network, helps readers understand the connection between menopause and brain health, what the current science tells us about menopause-related cognitive symptoms, and where opportunities remain to improve awareness, care, and support.

While cognitive symptoms during menopause are real and can affect daily life, work, and confidence, they are generally subtle, vary over time, and are distinct from more serious cognitive conditions. Understanding this distinction can help women recognize common experiences while knowing when to seek additional evaluation and support. 

Explore the brief to learn more about how menopause can affect brain health and the opportunities to improve awareness, care, and support.