Difficulty Concentrating

For those women suffering from difficulty concentrating as a result of menopause, many times this symptom can feel as though it comes out of nowhere. This may be frightening if it is unexpected. There are a variety of reasons why a woman may experience difficulty concentrating; however for women of menopausal age, hormonal fluctuations that occur naturally during this time period are the most likely suspect.

About Difficulty Concentrating

Due to the fact that this symptom, though extremely common, can be subtle, it is helpful to first define what constitutes difficulty concentrating.

Difficulty concentrating is many times experienced as the inability to concentrate on everyday as well as unusual or complex tasks. Along with this, women may experience disorientation, general forgetfulness, and lost trains of thought.

This can be a cause for concern for many women who are accustomed to possessing the ability to concentrate, and may lead to problems in the workplace or in a woman´s personal life. In addition, women may feel some concern that this is an early sign of more serious conditions such as Alzheimer´s.

To ease concerns about difficulty concentrating it is beneficial to know what the exact characteristics are.

The box on the right shows the most commonly experienced characteristics of difficulty concentrating. A menopausal woman may notice one or several of these signs, to varying degrees of intensity.

If experiencing these characteristics of difficulty concentrating, it is helpful to next learn why they are occurring. Click on the following link for more information about Difficulty Concentrating, or continue reading to learn more about its specific causes.

While a number of factors may play a role in the incidence of difficulty concentrating, for women undergoing the menopausal transition the most likely cause is hormonal fluctuation. Estrogen in particular plays a key role in the function of the brain, for several reasons.

There are a number of neurotransmitters in the brain which regulate cognitive function, including heightened memory and ability to concentrate. Acetylcholine, serotonin, and norepinephrine have all been shown to regulate cognitive abilities. If there is a shortage in these neurotransmitters, there may be a decrease in cognitive function, leading to difficulty concentrating.

In addition to the primary hormonal causes behind difficulty concentrating, many women may have concentration issues that stem from other menopausal symptoms. Sleep disorders and fatigue can render a woman too exhausted to concentrate properly on daily tasks at hand. Psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or panic disorders can also have a hand in difficulty concentrating. When a woman is under stress she may not be able to focus to her best abilities.

Though the main cause of difficulty concentrating is attributed to the fluctuations in estrogen that influence neurotransmitter levels in the brain; there are a host of other factors that may also influence a woman´s level of concentration. If experiencing difficulty concentrating for any combination of the factors listed above, it is beneficial to note that there are indeed treatment options available.

1. Lifestyle changes: Some easy lifestyle tips can help to cope with difficulty concentrating. A healthy diet rich in brain-friendly nutrients like omega-3 and omega-6 (found in fish, walnuts, and other proteins) can help. Cutting back on caffeine, alcohol and sugar will also go a long way to decrease difficulty concentrating.

2. Alternative Medicine: If coping methods and simple lifestyle changes aren´t working and a woman is still experiencing the frustrating symptom of difficulty concentrating, there are further treatment options which are available. Alternative medicines and treatments which address the hormonal imbalance at the source are the most effective method of treatment, particularly when implemented in conjunction with lifestyle changes.

3. Drugs and Surgery: For more serious incidences of difficulty concentrating, increasingly drastic measures can be taken, but these should always be undertaken with the help of a medical professional.