Q: I feel like my brain is in a fog most of the time. I'm not imaging this, am I?
A: Menopause brain fog is real, but shouldn't last forever. One study that examined cognitive performance in roughly 2,400 middle-aged women over four years found that memory began to decline when periods became irregular but returned to normal postmenopause; researchers think this may have to do with fluctuations in estrogen. The best thing for your brain? Exercise. Studies show that walking at least 90 minutes a week can improve cognition and help keep your brain healthy as you age. — Pauline M. Maki, PhD, professor of psychiatry and psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago
From the
June 2015 issue of
O, The Oprah Magazine
