The Menopause Brain: New Science Empowers Women to Navigate the Pivotal Transition with Knowledge and Confidence

Dr. Lisa Mosconi, a neuroscientist specializing in women's brain health, explains how menopause and perimenopause affect the brain. She reveals that while these transitions are often poorly understood by doctors, they involve far more than changes to the ovaries—hormonal shifts influence body temperature, mood, memory, and cognitive function. Mosconi describes how declining estrogen during menopause can lead to symptoms including hot flashes, insomnia, and brain fog, and may contribute to cognitive decline later in life. She presents current treatment approaches, including hormone replacement therapies, hormonal contraception, and lifestyle modifications involving diet, exercise, self-care, and self-talk. The book challenges the notion that menopause marks an ending, instead framing it as a transition. Mosconi argues that with proper self-care during this period, women can emerge with an improved brain and enter a new phase of life.