Should I Take Medications for Memory Loss?

By Amy S. | Updated: Jun 18, 2020

Ladies

Memory loss can be caused by a host of different problems. Anything from concussions to lack of sleep to a vitamin deficiency may interfere with the ability to make short-term memories. Additionally, as many women have discovered, menopause can sometimes come along with a fuzzy and foggy memory and the tendency to forget some very simple things. Luckily, there are remedies available that can help women to solve these menopause-related memory problems. Read on to find out if any of these medications for memory loss due to menopause are right for you.

It is unlikely that most women experiencing memory loss will need treatment with medications, they have a number of side effects

What Connects Menopause and Memory Loss?

Menopause is characterized by changes in women's hormone levels. One of the most significant hormones to be affected during this change is estrogen, which plays an important role in many different bodily functions, including neurological processes. During menopause, when estrogen production in the body tends to fluctuate and eventually become lower, a woman's memory can actually change, and she may find it harder to remember certain things. 

What Are the Benefits of Alternative Medicines?

Alternative medicines, often herbal supplements, can be useful in treating many different conditions. Herbal supplements to treat menopause and conditions caused by menopause generally either supply  hormones in to the body or regulate their levels.

Phytoestrogenic supplements are substances that contain a type of estrogen found in plants. When taking this type of medication, a woman's body can function normally because it is receiving extra estrogen. However, one possible side effect of this type of medication is that the body may stop producing as much estrogen because it has come to rely on the estrogen provided by the medication, which means these should only be used for short periods of time.

There are also hormone-regulating supplements available. These supplements do not provide any new hormones to the body; instead, they help the body control how it produces its own hormones and can help to increase the production of hormones like estrogen. This type of medication has very few side effects, and it can be continued for longer periods of time because it does not create a dependency on the supplement.

What Are the Benefits of Medical Treatments?

The most common medical treatment used for menopause symptoms is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This is a therapy in which women are given hormones like estrogen and progesterone, often in pill or patch form. While this is an effective treatment, there are several dangerous side effects, such as increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and hormone-related cancers.

In very rare cases, women experiencing memory problems during menopause may need to use medications created for diseases that cause dementia. These drugs, called cholinesterase inhibitors, can help to prevent damage to the memory. They have a number of side effects ranging from mild to severe, but it is unlikely that most women experiencing menopause-related memory problems will need treatment with these medications.

After reading this article, you should have a better idea of what medications for memory loss are available and which are right for you. However, there are other ways to manage hormone-related memory loss as well. Learn more about lifestyle changes to improve your memory without medication.

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