Menopause brain is real, and it's more than just the occasional forgetfulness or brain fog. In this episode, I had the honor of interviewing again the brilliant Dr. Lisa Mosconi, a world-renowned Neuroscientist, to uncover the intricate changes in brain health during menopause. Dr. Lisa, often called “The Mona Lisa of Neuroscience,” delves deep into how hormonal shifts impact our neurological well-being. Learn why hormone therapy could be essential and discover groundbreaking research that could change how we approach this critical life stage.

Dr. Lisa and I discussed menopause as a time of renewal rather than a period of decline. She shares profound insights on how estrogen and progesterone influence brain health and the surprising connections between hot flashes, cardiovascular, and neurological health. This episode redefines menopause as a vital stage of life, highlighting opportunities for growth and empowerment. Listen in to understand the powerful role of hormones and how they shape our experiences during menopause.

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Key Takeaways:

[00:02:14] Common menopausal complaints.

[00:07:24] Alzheimer's disease and menopause.

[00:10:30] Menopause and brain health.

[00:12:28] Neurological impact of menopause.

[00:18:51] Estrogen activity in the brain.

[00:23:17] Neuroplasticity and estrogen receptors.

[00:25:01] Alzheimer's and estrogen receptors.

[00:31:08] The Menopause Brain book.

[00:33:30] Hot flashes and health risks.

[00:39:17] Hormone therapy for Alzheimer's prevention.

[00:41:30] Neurocognitive changes during puberty.

[00:47:39] Redefining menopause.

[00:50:18] Positive perspectives on aging. 

[00:56:18] Neurosteroids in the brain.

Memorable Quotes: 

"There's no such vocabulary or range for menopause. We just assume it's the same for everyone. Whereas it's very similar. Some women, a few women are almost suicidal during menopause. Some women develop rage. Some women just cry and they're effectively depressed, they're hormonally depressed. And there's just no recognition of this and there's no support system in place, which I find extremely upsetting." [00:17:19] – Dr. Lisa Mosconi

 

"Hot flashes are not just a quality of life issue. For many years, that was the notion that you have a hot flash, you just grin and bear it, and eventually it'll go away. And now there's an understanding that a hot flash is not just heat, it's a neurological reaction that impacts multiple systems, multiple biological and neurophysiological systems, then need to be taken quite seriously because it may be a sign of a disruption in the cardiovascular system and potentially the neurological system." [00:34:36] – Dr. Lisa Mosconi

 

Links Mentioned: 

Julva, a Vulva Revitalizing Cream: https://www.dranna.com/julvapod

Dr. Lisa Mosconi‘s Research Article (Free Access and Download): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-62820-7

 

Connect with Dr. Lisa Mosconi:

Website: https://www.lisamosconi.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_mosconi

Twitter: https://x.com/dr_mosconi

 

Connect with Dr. Anna Cabeca:

Website: https://drannacabeca.com/pages/show

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctor/

Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dranna__c