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Perimenopausal Cognitive Decline

Meaning

Perimenopausal cognitive decline describes the transient or persistent changes in cognitive function, such as difficulties with verbal memory, attention, and executive function, that coincide with the transition phase leading up to menopause. This clinical phenomenon is directly attributable to the fluctuating and eventually declining levels of ovarian steroid hormones, primarily estrogen. While often subtle, this decline can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life and is a key area of concern in hormonal health management. It is distinct from pathological dementia, although hormonal changes may modulate future risk.