Jun 23, 2008 6:48 pm US/Mountain
Study Links Hot Flashes & Memory Loss
DENVER (CBS4) ―
A new study found the more hot flashes a woman has, the worse her memory and ability to think clearly becomes. It's the first research to link memory loss to hormone changes that occur during menopause.
"It is a physical problem directly linked to the hormone changes of menopause, and these changes can take place as early as age 40," CBS4 Medical Editor Dr. Dave Hnida said.
For years there was no research that proved hot flashes and hormone changes cause memory loss and a foggy head. But now the new research from the University of Illinois shows there is a physical link between hormone changes and clear thinking. They hooked women up to monitors measuring hot flashes, as well as performing regular memory tests, and found the more hot flashes, the worse the memory.
Key Points: • Many women didn't even know they were having hot flashes. They only felt the obvious ones, missing about 40 percent of the number they actually had.
• The average number of hot flashes in a 24 hour period was 19.5.
• Many happened during sleep, which may help explain the foggy-headed feeling during the day.
• Subtle hot flashes can start as early as 10 years before actual full blown menopause.
"The research shows if you can stabilize the hormones, lessen the hot flashes, the better the mind will work," Hnida said.
Options include a very short course of estrogen pills, the herb black cohosh and certain blood pressure medications. Even antidepressant drugs can help for those who aren't depressed or have high blood pressure.
"I think problems with sleep cycles may play a major role here," Hnida said.
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