When hormones are not balanced, it can cause brain fog — a condition that’s defined as a state in which a person finds himself unable to concentrate is irritable, tired, and with a generalized sense that something’s not right.
Women who go through this describe the feeling as outside of their normal. If you don’t know about hormone imbalance issues, it can be difficult to make the connection between the brain fog and hormones as the problem.
Don’t let brain fog diminish your quality of life – the key to relief may be understanding how hormones impact cognition. Many individuals suffer from this condition. But few realize it is often triggered by hormone imbalances since they can have a profound effect on overall well-being.
Fortunately there are steps you can take that could help clear away the mental cobwebs!
Brain fog is a term that describes a state of mental confusion, lack of focus, poor memory, and difficulty thinking clearly. Brain fog can have many possible causes, such as stress, lack of sleep, medication side effects, or underlying medical conditions. However, one of the common factors that can contribute to brain fog is a hormone imbalance12
Our hormones are powerful communicators, helping to regulate a wide range of bodily activities like metabolism and cognition. When these internal messengers become unbalanced, they can have adverse effects on the brain’s normal functioning – often leading to brain fog symptoms. Some of the hormones that can cause brain fog when they are imbalanced are:
Estrogen and progesterone are hormones that affect the brain’s health and function in various ways. Estrogen helps regulate how your body uses cortisol, which is a hormone that helps with chemical communication in your brain. Cortisol also helps your brain cope with stress and inflammation. When estrogen levels are low, as in menopause or perimenopause, your brain may have less cortisol and more inflammation. This can impair your cognitive abilities and cause brain fog.
Progesterone is another hormone that influences your mood, memory, and sleep quality. Progesterone has a calming effect on your brain and helps you fall asleep faster and deeper. When progesterone levels are low, as in the second half of your menstrual cycle or during menopause, you may experience mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, and poor sleep quality. Poor sleep quality can also lead to brain fog, as your brain needs enough rest to repair and regenerate.
So when estrogen and progesterone are imbalanced, your brain may suffer from inflammation, stress, and lack of sleep, which can all contribute to brain fog.
Brain fog and hormonal imbalances can have long term consequences for your health and well-being. Some of the possible consequences are:
Related Article: Estrogen Overload: High Levels Of The Hormone Can Cause Anxiety
Take control of your mental clarity and get back on track by exploring these solutions:
One study that has shown that women who began hormone therapy earlier had higher cognitive scores than women who started hormone therapy later is a study by Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton and colleagues from the University of Virginia Health System.
The study analyzed data from the Cache County Study, a large population-based study of aging and dementia in Utah, and found that women who initiated hormone therapy within five years of menopause had higher scores on tests of verbal memory, executive function, and global cognition than those who started hormone therapy 10 years or more after menopause.
The study also found that the duration of hormone therapy did not affect cognitive outcomes, suggesting that the timing of initiation is more important than the length of use. The results appear in the article “Lifetime estrogen exposure and cognition in late life: The Cache County Study.
If you are experiencing brain fog from hormonal imbalances, Golden Leaf Health Center can help. After a personalized examination and diagnostic testing, we’ll develop a program to help improve your brain fog and health through BHRT. It is important to identify the root cause of your symptoms as there are many hormones that can play crucial roles in how you’re feeling.
Don’t wait… take the proactive steps to bettering your mental state. Our team of experts are here for you – allowing you to find a personalized approach that works best with you, so get ready, reclaim control over your health!