Women’s Health an Insight on the Link Between Perimenopause and Dementia

The recent decline of women being in relationships, having sex, and having children is an ongoing topic. Research has started to focus on mood changes, cognitive impairments, and hormone functioning. While some women may be experiencing these concerns, many are becoming caregivers to mothers with early onset dementia. Becoming a caregiver may result in a substantial change in lifestyle, identity, and responsibility while making it harder to cope with personal health concerns. 

Some of what is known so far is that women are experiencing perimenopause symptoms in their thirties. The severity, types of symptoms, and treatment can create impairments associated with dementia. Symptoms of dementia consist of decline in memory, mood changes, cognitive impairments, changes in behavioral patterns, which impedes on daily functioning skills. While information on how significant the impact is may not be available for a few more years, women are likely to experience the unpleasantries of perimenopause symptoms. 

Variables such as decreasing marriage rates, changing laws, and dating abnormalities are cited as common reasons why some women are deciding to remain single. This is concurrent with the data related to a decline in women having children, while maintaining careers, and employment continues to be steady. High cost of child care, changes to the economy, and women’s rights are contributing factors related to the decline. Poor health care, lack of resources, and inadequate services play a part in racial and cultural related issues. Conversations are growing as family care for elderly individuals is reducing support for singles, couples, and families along with creating financial stressors as it relates to caregiving and support. In addition to all of this, women are just not feeling well. 

The prequel to menopause can include physical symptoms such as irregular periods, hot flashes, sleep problems, bladder issues, vaginal pain/discomfort, weight loss/gain, changes to blood levels, hair, skin, and bone density, problems with digestive system, and reproductive system, fatigue, and headaches/migraines. Mental health symptoms include sadness, depression, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, and a decrease in sexual interest. Women as young as 35 can start to experience symptoms which can last 5-10 years until reaching menopause. During this same stage of age and earlier, women can also start to experience signs of early-onset dementia. 

The growing concern is that based on the severity and longevity of perimenopausal symptoms, it can create a cognitive decline. Although treatment for perimenopause is available, many women may be unaware they have it. However, little attention has been focused on sexual activity as it relates to perimenopausal or early-onset dementia. Some experts advocate for having a healthy sexual lifestyle which decreases perimenopause symptoms, prolongs menopause, and reduces the risk of dementia. As long as the sexual activity is satisfying it is considered helpful. While women are still at a higher risk of having dementia than men, the correlation between perimenopause and dementia is alarming. Hopefully, building awareness and having comfortable discussions can help address medical and mental health-related concerns.