Does Early-Menopause Raise A Woman’s Odds For Dementia

1. Does Early Menopause Raise Odds For Dementia?

I came across this article the other day called “Does Early-Menopause Raise A Woman’s Odds For Dementia.” Although it could run in a family, as we all probably know, there is no apparent reason defined for Alzheimer’s to appear. We know the components that define Alzheimer’s, but we don’t know why or how these components develop in the first place. At least I haven’t read anything on that yet.

Alzheimer’s has two items found within the brain called  Amyloid Plaque and Tau Tangles. These two physical components develop in the brain and cause Alzheimer’s Disease. The medical field does not know why these components appear…at least I haven’t seen anything on that topic yet. I would imagine that the discovery of how these two components develop in the brain, hopefully, doctors would be able to eliminate Alzheimer’s. It seems logical that we will have no Dementia and no Alzheimer’s. But I’m not a doctor. and I’m just guessing at the ‘logic’. But in the meantime, we have various drugs to help slow down the progression of this condition.

The weird thing is this. Years ago I had a medical procedure designed to keep me from having issues with my monthly cycle. One of the procedure’s side effects was that my monthly cycle stopped (as expected) and I went into early menopause (caused by the surgery). Then shortly thereafter, I developed mild memory issues,  which I learned developed into Early Onset Alzheimer’s. I was somewhere between ages 54-and 55 when I noticed ‘something was off,” having very weird ‘spots of forgetfulness. Shortly thereafter, it was determined that Early Onset Alzheimer’s was the problem.  Early because I was under the age of 65 and the doctor found one of the two components that identify Alzheimer’s. One was called Amoloid plaque which they were able to identify and I learned that it caused me short-term memory loss. Although it seems I have not gone into full blown Alzheimer’s (with both components at this time), it still is creating one of the most frustrating parts of life. Currently, only Short-term memory was affected. It’s when a person with this condition can’t remember something someone said 10-15 minutess or so after it’s been said. From experience, I’m telling you how extremely embarrassing, frustrating and terribly frightening this is. Because I knew my mother and some of her other family members had Alzheimer’s, I knew sadly that myself, my cousins and other family members could also get this disease..

2. Why Some Women Go Into Early Onset Alz heimer’s

I assume there is still investigation on why women go into Early Onset Alzheimer’s. After finding this article, “Does Early-Menopause Raise A Woman’s Odds For Dementia?“, it all made sense in my mind. A lack of our female hormones causes menopause. If this is true it may explain ‘why’ there is Early Onset Alzheimer’s.

I suggest to other women that unless a hysterectomy has a very severe medical reason for removal, I would look for other options, if possible.  I’m not a doctor, but you can ask questions for alternatives. Being thrown into menopause was awful with frequent, intense hot flashes and other uncomfortable symptoms, as well as, the development of forgetfulness of various things associated with Menopause. A few years later after that surgery, I was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s and I found the article “Does Early-Menopause Raise A Woman’s Odds For Dementia.” All of a sudden, things began to make sense.  All the menopause symptoms had appeared and I finally knew why! It is at least some understanding of the connection between lack of hormones and Alzheimers as more research is done regarding Menopause and Early Onset Alzheimers.

3. Truth or Fiction?

All that to say is that this article, Does Early-Menopause Raise A Woman’s Odds For Dementia,” discusses how Early Menopause increases our odds of Alzheimer’s, especially if a patient is young, i.e, under 65. Maybe there is some triggering effect within Early Onset ALZ that increases the odds. Knowing gives us better information towards finding that cure.

4. Hope Leads To A Cure

So, although there is no current cure for Alzheimer’s yet, and although we have medications to slow Alzheimer’s down, it is encouraging that the World continues to look for a complete Alzheimer’s cure.

There is always hope.  Leave a message below on what you think. In the meantime, be encouraged that the medical field works diligently to find a cure for Alzheimer’s.

Keep Hope Alive and God Bless,

 

 

 

 

 

Florida State Advocate for Alzheimer’s Organization