As a functional medical practitioner specializing in menopause and bioidentical hormone replacement, I often meet women who are surprised by the impact of menopause on their brains. Hormone changes during menopause go beyond physical symptoms; they influence mood, memory, focus, and overall cognitive health.
Yet, the cognitive effects of menopause are often overlooked.
This is where a comprehensive, integrative approach becomes invaluable, especially when we incorporate advanced diagnostics like the WAVi brain scan, which enables us to measure brain health before and after initiating bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).
The Hormone-Brain Connection
Estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones don’t just regulate reproductive functions; they are essential for maintaining brain health. Estrogen plays a critical role in supporting neurotransmitter activity, protecting neurons, and ensuring smooth blood flow to the brain.
As estrogen levels decline, women may experience memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, and emotional volatility, among other symptoms. These changes highlight why menopause is as much about brain health as it is about physical health, underscoring the need for proactive support.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy: A Holistic Approach
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a personalized way to restore hormonal balance, helping to alleviate symptoms while also supporting brain function. Unlike synthetic hormones, bioidentical hormones are structurally identical to those our bodies naturally produce, which means they interact with the body in a more natural, effective way.
When optimized for the individual, BHRT can restore hormonal harmony, supporting cognitive health, mood stability, and overall well-being through this major life transition.
However, we must also understand that hormone therapy alone is not a silver bullet. The holistic, integrative approach is essential, and that’s where lifestyle, nutrition, stress management, and diagnostic tools come into play.
Measuring Brain Health with WAVi Brain Scans
One of the most valuable tools I recommend for women navigating menopause is the WAVi brain scan. This non-invasive, highly informative scan provides a real-time assessment of brain activity and cognitive function, allowing us to track changes and quantify improvements throughout BHRT treatment. By establishing a baseline of brain health before starting BHRT, we can identify specific areas of focus and see how hormone replacement impacts the brain over time.
The WAVi scan measures important brainwave markers associated with processing speed, attention, and memory. Tracking these metrics before and after therapy helps women visualize the benefits of BHRT on cognitive function, a reassurance that their treatment is working at a deeper, neurological level.
Integrative, Functional Support for the Menopausal Brain
Bioidentical hormone replacement is most effective when combined with a holistic approach to health. Nutrition, exercise, stress management, and sleep optimization are all critical to brain health during menopause. For instance, a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and antioxidants can significantly support cognitive function.
Regular exercise boosts blood flow to the brain, and stress reduction techniques like mindfulness can enhance neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize.
Taking Control of Menopause
Menopause doesn’t have to be a season of decline; with the right support, it can be an empowering transition into a new chapter of life. Bioidentical hormone replacement, enhanced by WAVi brain scan assessments and functional care, offers a proactive approach that doesn’t just ease symptoms but strengthens brain health and emotional resilience.
For every woman facing menopause, understanding your brain health, measuring your progress, and having a tailored, integrative approach can make all the difference.
The journey to feeling balanced, supported, and confident starts with empowering yourself through informed choices and the best in modern diagnostic technology.
As our Associate Medical Director, Dr. Angela De Rosa is integral to the continued education and innovation here at Nava Health. Dr. Angela DeRosa, DO, MBA, CPE, is a dynamic professional on a mission to change the face of women’s health and wellness. As a respected, internationally recognized authority on women’s hormonal health, Dr. DeRosa understands the range of health issues women face leading up to and during menopause, as she was in full-blown menopause by age 35. Dr. DeRosa has more than 25 years of experience in the medical field, both on the pharmaceutical side and in clinical practice.
Dr. DeRosa’s enthusiasm for educating patients on the realities of menopause and the risk factors of hormonal health imbalances has never waned. It was the driving force behind her first bestselling book, A Woman’s Health Survival Guide: How to Prevent Your Doctor From Slowly Killing You. Her book and its controversial title caught the attention of the public, media, and the medical community.
Dr. DeRosa is on the advisory board for the European Menopause and Andropause Society, a member of the International Menopause Society International Society of the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, and a researcher on women’s health issues. Dr. DeRosa is a Midwestern University Clinical Assistant Professor and a Past Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association President.