Female hormones are key to lifelong health, supporting the brain, metabolism, cardiovascular system, and bones. Hormonal transitions—from puberty to menopause—are not just phases of discomfort but opportunities for prevention and resilience.
Female hormones are often discussed only in relation to reproduction or menopause symptoms. Yet research increasingly shows that sex hormones are crucial for lifelong health, particularly for brain, cardiovascular, bone, and metabolic function.
The female hormonal transition—from perimenopause to postmenopause—is not just a phase of discomfort. It represents a critical window for preventing age-related chronic diseases, especially neurodegenerative disorders.
“Hormonal transitions in women begin at puberty and continue through postmenopause, forming a physiological continuum from adolescence to advanced age. While fluctuations are normal, modern lifestyle factors—chronic stress, prolonged hormonal contraception, disrupted sleep, and environmental exposures—can amplify imbalances and contribute to symptoms.”
— Dr. Lyne Desautels, Family physician specializing in women’s health, author, and keynote speaker
Hormones as Protectors of the Brain
Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone act as potent neuromodulators, with estrogens playing a particularly critical role:
They also enhance mitochondrial function, improve cerebral blood flow, and regulate glucose metabolism, critical since the brain is the body’s most energy-demanding organ.
Recent PET imaging studies show that estrogen receptor density in the brain changes during menopause. “Using this method, we were able for the first time to measure ER activity in the brain and identify potential predictors of some of these common symptoms of menopause,” said Dr. Lisa Mosconi, associate professor of neuroscience and director of the Women’s Brain Initiative at Weill Cornell Medicine (Mosconi et al., 2024).
Menopause is marked by reduced estrogen production, leading not only to the cessation of menstruation but also neuropsychiatric effects such as brain fog, depression, and anxiety.
Hormonal Decline and Neurodegenerative Risk
Prolonged loss of ovarian hormones after menopause is linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease, which disproportionately affects women—around 70% of Alzheimer’s patients are female, a difference not explained by lifespan alone.
Estrogen decline may:
They also enhance mitochondrial function, improve cerebral blood flow, and regulate glucose metabolism, critical since the brain is the body’s most energy-demanding organ.
Recent PET imaging studies show that estrogen receptor density in the brain changes during menopause. “Using this method, we were able for the first time to measure ER activity in the brain and identify potential predictors of some of these common symptoms of menopause,” said Dr. Lisa Mosconi, associate professor of neuroscience and director of the Women’s Brain Initiative at Weill Cornell Medicine (Mosconi et al., 2024).
Menopause is marked by reduced estrogen production, leading not only to the cessation of menstruation but also neuropsychiatric effects such as brain fog, depression, and anxiety.
Perimenopause: A Key Window for Prevention
Perimenopause is the transitional phase before menopause, typically ages 40–50, though it can begin in the late 30s. During this phase, estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate dramatically, affecting mood, sleep, cognition, and metabolism.
Evidence shows that women who:
…can better adapt to hormonal changes and protect long-term brain, cardiovascular, and metabolic health.
Rethinking Menopause
Menopause should not be viewed solely as a period of symptoms. How women experience this transition can influence 30–40 years of cognitive, cardiovascular, and metabolic health. Hormones act as key regulators of longevity.
” Menopause is not a biological failure but a major adaptive transition. When women experience brain fog, anxiety, sleep disturbances, or fatigue, these are biological signals, not dysfunctions. Modern science is beginning to decode this language, showing how hormonal support, lifestyle, and preventive strategies can optimize long-term health.”
— Dr. Lyne Desautels, Family physician specializing in women’s health
In conclusion: Hormones are central to overall health, not just reproductive function. Maintaining hormonal balance through lifestyle, preventive care, and, when appropriate, medical interventions can protect brain function, metabolic health, bone density, and cardiovascular wellness, supporting a long, healthy, and empowered life.
Special thanks to Dr. Lyne Desautels for her expertise in women’s health and her invaluable contributions.
Nathalie Tremblay Ph,D, M.B.A.
Cofounder, International Health Consortium – C4Care
Photo courtesy of Dr. Lyne Desautels, member of International Health Consortium C4Care
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