TMHS 769 - The Surprising Truth About Menopause & Lifestyle Changes for Menopause Symptoms - with Dr. Lisa Mosconi
Feb 28, 2024
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Dr. Lisa Mosconi shares insights on how menopause impacts the brain, cognitive health, and mental well-being. Discover the differences in male and female brains, the effects of hormone therapy, and cultural perspectives on menopause. Explore the healing power of propolis for immune support and the importance of understanding the blood-brain barrier for optimal brain function.
Menopause has extensive effects on the brain beyond hormonal shifts.
Cultural perceptions influence menopausal symptoms and experiences.
Hormone replacement therapy can be tailored to manage menopausal symptoms and health risks.
Deep dives
Understanding the Neurological Differences Between Men and Women
The brain functions differently in men and women, with notable distinctions in brain activity and structure. Neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Mosconi explains the crucial changes that occur in the female brain during menopause, a topic often overlooked. The importance of understanding these changes is emphasized for all women and those connected to them, as it can significantly impact health and well-being.
The Impact of Menopause on Brain Health and Cognitive Function
Menopause brings significant neurological changes linked to brain structure, chemistry, energy levels, functionality, and connectivity. Research led by Dr. Lisa Mosconi reveals brain imaging studies showcasing the transition's effects within a woman's brain during menopause. These changes correlate with cognitive outcomes and offer insights into potential preventive strategies for cognitive health and Alzheimer's risk.
Cultural Variances in Menopausal Experiences
Cultural influences shape the menopausal experience, as evidenced by differences in reported symptoms across various societies. Contrasts in symptoms, such as hot flashes or frozen shoulder, highlight the impact of lifestyle, mindset, and societal attitudes on menopause. Cultures valuing menopause and offering elevated social status to women undergoing this transition tend to exhibit milder symptoms and enhanced well-being.
Reframing Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy
Menopause carries stigma in Western societies, marked by ageism and sexism. Dr. Lisa Mosconi advocates for reframing menopause as a natural and celebrated phase of womanhood. She delves into the complexities of hormone replacement therapy, addressing past misconceptions and revised perspectives on tailored hormone therapies, emphasizing their role in managing menopausal symptoms and mitigating health risks.
The Role of Hormones in Menopause
Hormone replacement therapy for menopause involves replacing specific types of estrogen to alleviate symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and prevent osteoporosis and urinary symptoms. The main hormone to supplement is estradiol, the most potent estrogen during a woman's reproductive life. Different hormone types and administration methods are used, with a focus on bioidentical hormones like micronized estradiol and progesterone to maintain balance throughout menopause.
Impact of Toxins on Menopause and Brain Health
Toxins in the environment, particularly endocrine disruptors like xenoestrogens, can have adverse effects on hormonal health, leading to conditions like thyroid disease, infertility, endometriosis, and even impacting dementia risk during menopause. Pollutants from sources like air pollution contribute to these disruptions, emphasizing the need for precautions like using air purifiers in polluted areas and consuming organic, whole foods to minimize exposure to harmful chemicals.
Menopause is widely believed to be a hormonal and reproductive shift, but new science is affirming that the process of menopause also has extensive effects on a woman’s brain. As a women’s brain health expert and neuroscientist, Dr. Lisa Mosconi is on a mission to help women better understand menopause, its symptoms, and how to embrace life’s natural changes in a healthy and empowered way.
On this episode of The Model Health Show, Dr. Lisa Mosconi returns to share the ways that menopause impacts cognitive health and mental well-being. She’s sharing the fascinating science from her new book, The Menopause Brain on how hormone shifts impact the cognitive function, which lifestyle factors can preserve and promote brain health, and the truth about hormone replacement therapy.
You’re going to learn why women are more susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease and how women’s brains age differently than men’s. We’ll talk about cultural perceptions about menopause, the role mindset can play in regulating symptoms, and so much more. Dr. Lisa Mosconi is a true wealth of knowledge in this subject matter, and I know you’re going to find her insights valuable and empowering. Enjoy!
In this episode you’ll discover:
What percentage of Alzheimer’s disease patients are women.
The truth about when brain changes occur in Alzheimer’s disease.
How menopause affects the brain.
What the neuroendocrine system is.
The major differences between a pre-menopause and post-menopause brain.
Why Alzheimer’s disease does not cause death but can lead to a shortened lifespan.
How Japanese culture perceives menopause.
The interesting way metabolic health influences menopause symptoms.
Three major shifts women’s brains undergo.
How pregnancy changes the brain.
The benefits of menopause that are often overlooked.
Why hormone replacement therapy must be individualized.
How a full hysterectomy impacts the brain.
The three different types of estrogen.
How xenoestrogens influence dementia risk.
Why women are more susceptible to pollutants and toxins.
How the coral reef is like the blood brain barrier.
