Laura Thorburn, M.S., CCC-SLP
Age-related health changes, such as menopause, can affect a person's communication skills. The impact of menopause on communication is often overlooked, but for many women, it’s all too real–whether it shows up as brain fog, word-finding problems, emotional shifts, or other challenges.
Key takeaways
Cognitive changes in menopause can include memory issues, word-finding difficulty, and problems concentrating, which can all affect communication.
Changing hormone levels can lead to mood shifts, irritability, or sadness. This can make it hard to communicate effectively or with the tone you intend.
Memory training, meditation, regular exercise, a healthy diet, and improved sleep can all help improve menopause symptoms that affect communication.
Speech therapy can also be valuable, teaching you targeted strategies to manage and improve your communication challenges.
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Start the screenerCognitive changes during menopause
Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman's menstrual cycles. It typically occurs in the late 40s to early 50s. This transition can cause physical, emotional, and cognitive changes due to hormonal fluctuations, which affect how we communicate in several ways.
Studies have shown that cognitive changes can occur with menopause, including memory issues. As a matter of fact, these memory lapses are often referred to as “menopausal brain fog.” In some women, menopause causes word-finding difficulty. You might forget names or words, or have a harder time thinking of the words you want to use in a conversation.
The onset of menopause has also been shown to affect concentration. Hormonal changes can make it harder to concentrate, leading to a shorter attention span and difficulty staying engaged in conversations.
Learn the early signs of memory problems and what causes them. Get expert tips for coping with forgetfulness or a poor memory.
Emotional changes during menopause
Hormones are critical for regulating our emotions. During menopause, fluctuations in hormone levels can result in increased mood shifts, anxiety, sadness, or irritability. This makes it more likely that you’ll speak with others from a position of dysregulation.
It may feel harder to maintain a calm and composed demeanor. You may be more likely to say something you regret or use an unintended tone. This may lead to a decline in self-confidence, which can affect your willingness to speak up or engage in conversations. It can also cause problems in your professional or personal relationships.
Physical changes during menopause
Finally, the body itself experiences instability during menopause. For example, changes in hormone levels can cause hot flashes or night sweats. Hot flashes can be extremely distracting if they occur during conversations. They are likely to commandeer your mental attention, making it hard to organize your thoughts, stay on point, or find your words.
Similarly, night sweats can create sleep disturbances and poor quality of sleep. When person has insomnia, they’re more likely to have difficulties with concentration, comprehension, and focus. Lack of sleep and tiredness can also make symptoms such as irritability or anxiety worse.
Learn how to keep your brain healthy, along with signs of cognitive decline and how speech therapy can help with memory and thinking problems.
How to manage communication challenges during menopause
It’s important to work with your health care provider to develop a plan for managing symptoms and maintaining good health, both during and after menopause. For example, you’ll want to learn how to protect your heart and prevent bone loss as you get older.
While we can’t control the fact that hormones change, we can learn how to manage communication challenges that arise during menopause. Here are a few tips and strategies that can help:
1 Memory training
Do activities that boost your memory skills, such as puzzles, reading, and memory games. Learning something new, like a language or a musical instrument, can also be helpful for your memory.
2 Meditation and mindfulness
Practices such as meditation that enhance your focus and reduce stress can do wonders for improving concentration and overall cognitive functioning.
3 Regular exercise
Physical activity in menopause can improve your mood, energy levels, and cognitive functioning. Try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. While your doctor can provide specific guidance, it's generally important for women in menopause to include strength and balance exercises in their routine.
4 A healthy diet
Eating a nutrient-rich "menopause diet" supports brain health and can alleviate some menopausal symptoms.
5 Solid sleep
Sleep problems can make certain menopause symptoms worse. To improve your sleep, try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Develop a calming bedtime routine, such as reading or taking a warm bath. Don't watch TV or use your computer or phone in the bedroom, and keep your room dark, at a comfortable temperature.
Looking to keep your memory sharp as you age? Explore these simple strategies and tips to improve your memory, along with signs of memory problems to watch for.
How speech therapy can help
To sum up, it’s important to know that the changes you’re experiencing are normal, not a sign of dementia or other neurological problems. However, symptoms such as mood swings or forgetting words can be frustrating and stressful. Recognizing these challenges and learning how to manage them can help women maintain effective communication in their personal and professional lives.
Using any of the above tips can promote relaxation, boost mood, and increase energy levels. Speech therapy can also be a valuable resource during menopause. A speech therapist can teach you targeted strategies to manage and improve your communication challenges.
At Expressable, you can work with a speech therapist who specializes in cognitive, professional, or social communication. Sessions are online, so you can attend from the comfort of home, at a time that's convenient for you. You don’t have to navigate these changes alone! Start here and find a speech therapist who's right for you.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can menopause cause word-finding problems?
Yes, in some women, menopause causes word-finding difficulty. You might forget names or words, or have a hard time thinking of the words you want to use in a conversation. In speech therapy, you can learn techniques to help with word retrieval.
What are the emotional symptoms of menopause?
During menopause, changes in hormone levels can lead to emotional symptoms such as mood shifts, irritability, and low energy. You might also feel tearful, sad, or anxious.
How to get rid of menopause brain fog?
Techniques for handling brain fog include getting regular exercise, improving your sleep, doing puzzles or other brain games, and using strategies such as reminders on sticky notes or your phone. You should also talk with your doctor about overall treatments to help with menopause symptoms.
How Expressable Can Help
Concerned your child isn't reaching age-expected milestones? Looking for communication support from a professional? Expressable is a national online speech and occupational therapy practice serving children and adults. We treat all major areas of communication, feeding, and developmental skills, offer flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and accept most major health insurance plans. We’re proud to have earned more than 4,500 5-star reviews from our clients (4.83/5 average).
Our therapy model is centered on parent and caregiver involvement. Research proves that empowering caregivers to participate in their loved one’s therapy leads to better outcomes. That’s why we combine live, 1-on-1 speech and occupational therapy with personalized education and home practice activities for faster progress.
