This document discusses difficulty concentrating as it relates to menopause. It begins by explaining that up to 2/3 of women experience issues with concentration during menopause due to hormonal fluctuations. Common symptoms include lost trains of thought, disorientation, and forgetfulness. It then explores the neurological causes of concentration problems and lists lifestyle changes, herbal remedies, and medications that can help address this menopause symptom. The document provides an overview of both estrogenic and non-estrogenic herbal options and emphasizes the importance of diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management.

1. Menopause
and
Concentration

2. Index
Page
About Concentration 2
Common Characteristics 3
Causes of Difficulty Concentrating 4
Lifestyle Changes 6
Alternative Medicine 7
Medication 9
References 10

3. Menopause and Concentration
About Menopause and Concentration
For those women suffering from difficulty
concentrating as a result of menopause, this
symptom can often feel as though it has come
out of nowhere. This may be frightening if it is
unexpected. There are a variety of reasons
why a woman may experience difficulty
concentrating; however for women of
menopausal age, the hormonal fluctuations
are the most likely suspect. Up to 2/3rds of
women experience some aspects of difficulty
concentrating during menopause.
Difficulty concentrating is often experienced
in both everyday as well as unusual or
complex tasks. Along with this, women may
experience disorientation, general
forgetfulness and lost trains of thought.

4. Menopause and Concentration
Common Characteristics of Difficulty
Concentrating are:
• Lost train of thought
• Disorientation
• Fuzzy thinking
• Forgetfulness
• Inability to concentrate for long periods
of time
• Inability to focus on complex tasks

5. Menopause and Concentration
Causes of Difficulty Concentrating
There are a number of neurotransmitters in
the brain which regulate cognitive function,
including heightened memory and ability to
concentrate. Acetylcholine, serotonin and
norepinephrine have all been shown to
regulate cognitive abilities.
If there is a shortage in these
neurotransmitters, there may be a decrease in
cognitive function, leading to difficulty
concentrating. Estrogen has an effect on the
production of all three of these
neurotransmitters. When estrogen levels are
higher, then production increases. Estrogen
also stimulates blood flow to the brain.

6. Menopause and Concentration
Other Causes of Difficulty Concentrating are:
• Natural aging
• Hyperactivity disorders
• Drug use
• Poor nutrition
• Neurological disorders

7. Menopause and Concentration
Treatment for Difficulty Concentrating
Lifestyle Changes
A healthy diet rich in brain-friendly nutrients
like omega-3 and omega-6 (found in fish,
walnuts and other proteins) can help. Cutting
back on caffeine, alcohol and sugar will also
go a long way to decrease difficulty
concentrating.
Making sure to receive a good night of sleep
as rest helps a great deal as well. Stress-
relieving techniques like meditation or yoga
are also helpful in aiding a woman's ability to
concentrate. Brain exercises such as
crossword puzzles can improve overall focus.
Exercise is extremely important in keeping the
mind sharp.

8. Menopause and Concentration
Alternative Medicine
In the case of herbal remedies, there are two
types of herbs that can be used for treating
difficulty concentrating and improving
concentration: phytoestrogenic and non-
estrogenic herbs. Phytoestrogenic herbs (e.g.
Black Cohosh) contain estrogenic components
produced by plants.
These herbs, at first, do treat the hormonal
imbalance by introducing these plant-based
estrogens into the body. However, as a result
of adding outside hormones, a woman's body
may become less capable of producing
estrogen on its own. This causes a further
decrease of the body's own hormone levels.

9. Menopause and Concentration
Non-estrogenic herbs stimulate a woman's
hormone production by nourishing the
pituitary and endocrine glands, causing them
to more efficiently produce natural hormones.
This results in balancing the estrogen levels,
causing neurotransmitter production to
resume as before. Non-estrogenic herbs can
be considered the safest way to treat difficulty
concentrating naturally as the body creates its
own hormones and doesn't require any
outside assistance.
Macafem is an excellent non-estrogenic herb
as it stimulates your hormone glands into
producing the necessary hormones naturally.

10. Menopause and Concentration
Medication
As with memory problems, drugs are an
option that can be discussed with medical
professionals.

11. Menopause and Concentration
References
• Hutchinson, Susan M.D. "The Stages of a
Woman's Life: Menstruation, Pregnancy,
Nursing, Perimenopause, Menopause".
November 2007.
• Love, Susan M.D. Menopause and Hormone
Book. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2003.