"I used to be so good at remembering things.  Since I have started perimenopause I keep forgetting the basics like when my kids have their music lessons.  Is this normal?"

Many menopausal women have problems with short-term memory - like forgetting where they last put their car keys or eyeglasses, missing appointments they didn't remember, or losing the end of a thought when speaking or writing.

These may be due to a busy lifestyle and/or stress at home or work. Notably, several medical studies have shown distinct differences in memory in women who have active ovaries producing estrogen or are taking estrogen replacement therapy compared to women with low levels of estrogen due to menopause.

• To help yourself out, use Post It notes or carry a notepad to write down the daily activities you need to do.
• Taking your time will also help you to recall tasks and words you were about to say.
• Meditation is a good way to learn focusing techniques.
• Some women find that taking ginkgo bilboa helps to sharpen their memory and increase their energy levels.  This herbs works by increasing blood flow to the brain.

If memory lapses are interfering with your quality of life talk with your doctor about it and possible treatment options.

HotFlash FAQ:
How can birth control pills help symptoms of perimenopause?
There is a whole new group of BCPs like Loestrin that were created especially for women over 35 years of age.  Not only do they function to help with the often disruptive symptoms of perimenopause, they work as an effective means of birth control.  They contain just enough estrogen and progesterone to prevent pregnancies and help with perimenopause. Find out more.

Meet the Author
"Menopause Made Easy"
by Dr. Carolle Jean-Marat, MD
hosted by Sue Spataro
Interview & FREE Excerpt
Today's woman must educate herself about menopause and the risks and rewards of taking HRT, nutritional supplements, and homeopathic therapies. With humor, candor, and plain non-technical language, Dr. Jean-Murat discusses the current needs and concerns of midlife women, empowering us to make the right decisions. In our interview, she discusses Selecting over the counter products, Black Cohosh, and Racial Differences & Menopause and also features a FREE excerpt from her book, Stress and Depression. If you have any questions, you can ask them on our HotFlash support group.

Meet the Author
Larrian Gillespie, MD
Author of "The Menopause Diet"
FREE recipe & FREE book excerpt, "Female, Fat, and Forty
hosted by Sue Spataro, RN, BSN
Millions of women in perimenopause and menopause ask themselves in frustration, "Why am I gaining weight when I'm still eating the same amounts of food and continue my exercise program?" Her books work hand in hand for any woman in her forties who is trying to lose weight and feel great.  Dr. Gillespie recipe's are delicious and easy to prepare.  Her book The Menopause Diet is excellent and educates us to how our body actually works against us during perimenopause/menopause. Find out more.

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