Memory Loss

For many women going through menopause, memory loss can be the most concerning symptom. They can lead women to believe their minds are receding into a fog of mental illness. There are many misunderstandings about memory lapses as they relate to menopause, which will be cleared up in this section.

Memory loss during menopause?

Definition

Webster’s Dictionary defines memory as “the mental capacity or faculty of retaining or recalling facts, events, impressions, or previous experiences”. Memory loss, then, are fleeting periods when a person loses the mental capacity or faculty of retaining or recalling information. Two types of memory are affected in women who experience memory loss: short-term memory and recent memory. Women who suffer from memory lapses typically report that they have “brain freeze” when trying to remember where they left their reading glasses, for example. Recollections of names, dates, and addresses can also evade a woman experiencing memory lapses during menopause, especially when she just received that information. Types of memory Memory is often simplified into only two categories: short- and long-term memory. In fact, there are several types that comprise the extremely complex function of a person’s memory. The different types of memory shown below will give a better idea of the different functions memory serves. Short-term memory-  The ability to remember information for brief moments, such as a telephone number for the time it takes to dial it. Recent memory –  The ability to recall day to day events, involved in learning new information. Sensory memory-  The ability to recognize smells, sounds, and sights. Long-term memory –  Also known as remote memory, concerns itself with the more distant past. Declarative memory –  The ability to remember the meaning of words, facts, and a generalized knowledge of the world. Procedural memory –  The ability to remember motor skills – knowing how to do things – such as how to walk, ride a bike, and eat.