Book contents
- Menopause, Menstrual Cycles and Mental Health
- Reviews
- Menopause, Menstrual Cycles and Mental Health
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Contributors
- Glossary
- Introduction
- Chapter 1The History of Women’s Mental Health
- Chapter 2Sex Hormone Changes through the Female Lifespan
- Chapter 3Taking a Menstrual History
- Chapter 4Contraception
- Chapter 5Premenstrual Disorders, Menstruation and Mental Health
- Chapter 6Psychological Aspects of Gynaecological Conditions
- Chapter 7The Individual’s Experiences of Menopause
- Chapter 8Management of Menopausal Symptoms
- Chapter 9Cognitive Function and Perimenopause
- Chapter 10Menopause in the Social Sphere
- Chapter 11Mental Illness in the Perimenopause
- Chapter 12Mental Health Implications of Hormones amongst Trans and Non-binary People
- Chapter 13Menopause, Periods and Contraception in the Intellectual Disability Population
- Chapter 14Neurodivergence, Menstrual Symptoms and Menopause
- Index
- References
Chapter 9 - Cognitive Function and Perimenopause
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 May 2026
Edited by
Book contents
- Menopause, Menstrual Cycles and Mental Health
- Reviews
- Menopause, Menstrual Cycles and Mental Health
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Contributors
- Glossary
- Introduction
- Chapter 1The History of Women’s Mental Health
- Chapter 2Sex Hormone Changes through the Female Lifespan
- Chapter 3Taking a Menstrual History
- Chapter 4Contraception
- Chapter 5Premenstrual Disorders, Menstruation and Mental Health
- Chapter 6Psychological Aspects of Gynaecological Conditions
- Chapter 7The Individual’s Experiences of Menopause
- Chapter 8Management of Menopausal Symptoms
- Chapter 9Cognitive Function and Perimenopause
- Chapter 10Menopause in the Social Sphere
- Chapter 11Mental Illness in the Perimenopause
- Chapter 12Mental Health Implications of Hormones amongst Trans and Non-binary People
- Chapter 13Menopause, Periods and Contraception in the Intellectual Disability Population
- Chapter 14Neurodivergence, Menstrual Symptoms and Menopause
- Index
- References
Summary
With many women in perimenopause experiencing a subjective sense of change in cognitive function, understanding normal cognitive function in perimenopause is important for clinicians in day-to-day practice. This chapter aims to equip mental health professionals with the knowledge and confidence to appropriately explore cognitive concerns arising during the perimenopause. The chapter outlines normal cognitive function in perimenopause, exploring symptoms and how they may present, as well as aiming to identify who may be at greater risk from cognitive change. It then offers suggestions on how to support women to reduce symptoms of cognitive dysfunction as far as is practicable. The chapter later explores the role of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on both cognition in perimenopause and beyond into postmenopause, as well as considering the impact HRT has on the brain and risk of dementia in later life. With up to 45% of dementia now felt to be preventable, the chapter discusses the role of the healthcare professional in identifying risks presenting around the time of perimenopause, allowing clinicians to then offer intervention and promote good brain health in mid-life leading into later-life.
Keywords
Information
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Menopause, Menstrual Cycles and Mental Health , pp. 121 - 131Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2026
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