No one, including myself, likes to admit they're getting older. Part of that is not wanting to put limitations on myself just because I am older. Having some physical limitations as we age is a given but our minds should stay sharp regardless of our age, right? I know this to be true and if you are suffering from declining mental performance you need to know that there are things you can do about it. Hormonal imbalances or deficiencies could hold your mental performance back as you age.

In fact, much of the physical and mental effects of aging we feel are the result of hormonal changes that occur. This is true for both both men and women. There are specific steps you can take to counteract those changes to keep you firing on all cylinders well into your senior years—and put a bounce back in your middle-age step, too.

Below are the specifics on the hormonal affects to your cognitive functions, and some tips to take control when your hormones get out of whack.

Hormones, Memory, and Concentration

Both of the so-called "sex hormones," estrogen and testosterone, have been linked to memory recall, the ability to concentrate, and executive decision making.  In general, declining levels below the normal of each hormone correlates with decreased cognitive functioning in healthy adults. These hormones decline with age when women go through menopause.  Their estrogen and testosterone levels can drop considerably, and many women experience memory difficulties and mental "fogginess" during this period.

Men undergo a similar transition called andropause that is often less extreme, however the reduced testosterone levels also produces negative effects on cognition as noted in many studies.  In many studies higher levels of testosterone correlate with better perfomance on global cognition, processing speed, executive decision making, and attention. Still not all studies suggest such a linear correlation with all mental performance. Most studies do support the fact that testosterone suplementation in patients with low testosterone correlates with improved memory recall and visuospacial capacity. 

Testosterone can have a positive impact on cognitive function in women as well.  A 2011 study found that testosterone improved cognitive and memory  in postmenopausal women.   Additional studies suggest that hormone-related therapies do work to restore memory and cognitive performance in females. In particular there is observation that estrogen supplementation preserves verbal skills and improves executive decision making. 

Thyroid hormones have also been found to have a significant impact on cognition. While primarily associated with changes in metabolism—the rate at which your body burns energy—shifts in thyroid hormones or having an over- or under-active thyroid can lead to a range of cognitive impairments including confusion, lack of ability to concentrate, drowsiness, and depression. Declining DHEA has also been associated with memory impairment and reduced higher-order cognitive capabilities.  DHEA supplementation does improve memory and reduce other effects of aging, as well.

Using hormonal supplementation to counteract imbalances with thyroid, DHEA, testosterone, and estrogen has a positive impact on memory. Because many hormones work together in complex "cascades" to achieve their results, there are likely dozens of others that can impact cognition.

Better still, using lifestyle changes in conjunction with hormone therapy can often have greater impact than homornes alone. For instance, simply changing your bedtime and sleeping habits can have a significant impact on your hormone levels throughout the day.  In addition, better sleep leads to significant improvements in all areas of cognitive function.

Get Your Hormones Set for the Optimal Mindset

If you think hormonal changes brought on by aging might be causing you unnecessary mental difficulties, you don't have to accept them as "part of getting old." Schedule an appointment today, and let's get you back to feeling and thinking young!