Mental wellbeing and physical wellbeing are two sides of the same coin. What impacts one also influences the other, to a greater or lesser degree. It is no great wonder, then, that research has shown that, along with its many positive physical benefits, estrogen plays an important part in maintaining mental health throughout our later years.

To understand the effects of estrogen on mental health, it is important to understand how estrogen affects brain chemistry. Estrogen functions to inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO) and the enzyme that metabolizes serotonin in much the same way as pharmaceutical antidepressants do. During menopause, when estrogen production begins to decrease, a woman loses the benefit of this natural mood stabilizer. As a result, it is not uncommon for menopausal women to struggle with depression, even without a prior history. Estrogen replacement with bioidentical hormones can help return a woman’s emotional stability and sense of wellbeing.

Of course, emotional wellbeing is only one facet of mental health, albeit an important one. Preserving the very cognitive functions of the brain, such as memory and clarity of thought, provide the other side of the equation.

It is no secret that, on average, women live longer than men. In fact, 72% of people over the age of 85 are women. By virtue of living longer lives, women have greater cause for concern when it comes to issues of mental deterioration that often accompany advanced age. Plentiful research has shown estrogen’s positive effects on learning and memory retention. Bioidentical estrogen replacement therapy may be the key to staving off dementia.

As we age we slowly lose neurons, the connections in the brain that make learning and remembering possible. It is this gradual deterioration that is responsible for much of the normal memory loss that comes with old age. In those with Alzheimer’s disease, beta-amyloid proteins deposited on the neurons cause them to degenerate even more rapidly. However, this deterioration may be slowed.

Repeated and ongoing research demonstrates that estrogen acts to protect the fragile neurons of the brain and prevents degradation. Using bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to restore the body’s estrogen levels can effectively slow the process of memory loss and the cognitive decline that normally comes with aging. Even more exciting is its ability to provide a defense against the crippling effects of Alzheimer’s disease. It is easy to see how estrogen replacement, with natural bioidentical hormones, may not only promotes improved physical health in women, but also provides them with the mental health essential to enjoying their latter years.

Material provided is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent disease and has not been evaluated by the FDA.

REVITA Anti-Aging recommends you consult a specially trained Age Management or Anti-Aging Physician before starting bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Bioidentical hormones should only be taken when clinical deficiencies are found by a trained physician via lab testing. REVITA Medical, PC physicians perform evaluations and specialized testing to qualify patients for treatment.