Study Shows ADHD Drug Could Help Menopausal Women with Memory Loss
Women improved their memory and cognitive function after taking the drug.
When a woman suffers from hot flashes and mood swings, people automatically think: Menopause. But there are many other symptoms that, while they may not be as stereotypically representative of menopause, are just as distressing for women.
Take memory loss for example. During and after menopause, many women suddenly find themselves struggling with tasks they took for granted before, like being able to remember people’s names or complete a 5-item trip to the grocery store without a list. The embarrassment and emotional distress caused by even small incidents of memory loss or poor concentration—not to mention the potential career impacts—can be significant and should not be ignored, especially when treatment is available.
New Treatment Option for Menopausal Memory Loss?
According to a small study recently published in the journal Psychopharmacology, taking an ADHD drug may help menopausal women suffering from memory problems improve “executive functions” in the brain. These functions include memory, reasoning, multi-tasking, planning, and problem-solving.
The drug used in the study was Vyvanse, a pill commonly prescribed to both children and adults with ADHD. The test group consisted of 32 women ages 45 to 60 who were either going through or had just finished menopause and had complained of memory or concentration problems, but had no prior history of ADHD.
The women were tested three times on their executive functions: once at the start of the study, once after receiving the drug for four weeks, and once after receiving a placebo. The women consistently scored better on testing after taking the drug.
While this study was too small to serve as a basis for immediate changes in clinical practice, nonetheless women’s health experts are excited about this area of inquiry and its potential for improving the lives of menopausal women with memory problems.
Addressing the Root Cause of Memory Problems at Menopause
Medications for improving memory are all well and good, but they don’t address the root cause of memory and concentration problems in menopausal women, namely hormonal imbalance. Estrogen and progesterone are both important neurotransmitters, so when your levels drop at menopause, naturally memory issues will result. The fact that healthy estrogen is needed to dilated blood vessels in the brain doesn’t help matters either. But by checking your hormone levels and raising estrogen and progesterone back to where they should be, we can restore your sharp, youthful thinking. To learn more, please contact Renew Woman™ today.
We’re here to help.
Schedule a free confidential consultation.
Free Consultation
