Nope, you haven’t lost your mind, my midlife friend ~ you’re merely suffering from a decline in hormones.⠀
Our brain is LOADED with hormone receptors. Those receptors are just waiting for hormones to nestle in and communicate their oh-so-important messages.⠀⠀
Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone modulate different aspects of brain function through a number of different pathways that are initiated ONLY after hormones bind to receptors on neurons and glia, the two types of brain cells in our central nervous system. ⠀
Hormones affect neurotransmitters in the brain and they exert anti-inflammatory effects in the brain, enhance blood flow, stimulate neural synapses and more! They are super important for our brain function!!!⠀
So when hormones decline during perimenopause and menopause (or in surgical menopause when the ovaries are removed), those brain receptors don’t get the hormones that they need, which means that the message doesn’t get communicated. And women are often left with not-so-great symptoms. ⠀
Good food and lifestyle choices that support your precious brain are key when it comes to keeping your brain in tip-top shape, but hormones are the bomb in keeping your brain in the game. Talk with your functional medicine doc if you are experiencing symptoms. It’s so important!
