Hormone imbalance and memory loss
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can help reduce the likelihood of age-related memory loss, dementia, and even Alzheimer’s disease. By balancing hormone levels, men see increases in memory, improved performance at work, and so much more.
Many studies conclude that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) improves memory and protects the brain from degeneration, as well as reducing the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
“Numerous clinical studies in postmenopausal women and men in the andropause showed improvements of learning and memory after testosterone supplementation. Even a short 6-week testosterone treatment resulted in improved spatial and verbal memory of older men” (Cherrier et al., 2001) [1].
How HRT helps memory loss:
- Increases focus
- Improves memory
- Slows brain aging
- Reduces Alzheimer’s risk
- Reduces dementia risk
- Increases spatial awareness
- Improves cognitive ability
- Improves concentration
Testosterone, thyroid, and estradiol can all improve cognitive function, including memory, mood, and mental agility. Studies also show that TRT can help avoid and slow Alzheimer’s Disease and age-related dementia. The importance of replacing these hormones is crucial, helping protect your mind against debilitating damage.
Treatment for memory loss in men
Testosterone, thyroid, and estradiol can all improve cognitive function, including; memory, mood, and mental agility. Studies also show that TRT can help avoid and slow Alzheimer’s Disease and age-related dementia. The importance of replacing these hormones is crucial, helping protect your mind against debilitating damage.
Ready to start hormone replacement therapy? Start by taking our free hormone assessment!
Does BHRT help brain fog and memory?
As men age, they experience falling hormone levels. From around 30 years old, testosterone levels start to fall 1-2% every year. Hormones affect many aspects of life; weight, sleep patterns, libido, and muscles, but they can also affect memory. Commonly, men with declining testosterone levels experience memory loss and a lack of mental clarity, which many describe as brain fog.
Brain fog manifests itself in many ways including lack of focus, forgetfulness, and distractibility.
Many men experience a similar decline in hormone levels as women experiencing menopause, and many have similar symptoms needing similar treatment.
Common symptoms of brain fog associated with hormone imbalance:
- Memory loss
- Forgetting how to do basic tasks
- Loss of mental sharpness
- Difficulty remembering passwords, phone numbers, etc.
- Feelings of confusion
Wondering if you may be suffering from low hormone levels? Take our free hormone assessment to see if you could benefit from Hormone Replacement Therapy!
What causes memory loss in men?
Testosterone, thyroid, and estradiol are all essential for memory and mental processing. If you are deficient in any of these hormones or are out of balance, you may experience difficulty concentrating, slower cognitive decision-making, and memory loss.
Does low testosterone cause memory loss?
Testosterone is called a precursor hormone. Testosterone is converted into estradiol (via aromatization) and into Dihydrotestosterone (via an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase). These two hormones have a significant impact on you your body, particularly estradiol.
Estradiol protects your brain from degeneration against specific proteins known to cause memory loss and even Alzheimer’s disease.
How low estrogen (estradiol) causes memory loss in men
Estradiol (a form of estrogen) increases levels of an enzyme that assists the synthesis of a brain chemical called acetylcholine, which is critical to your memory. Estradiol also improves the interaction between specific neurons in the hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for verbal memory.
Around 70% of people living with Alzheimer’s are women, who after menopause, experience an almost total loss of estradiol production. This decline displays estradiol’s powerful protective function on the brain. Alzheimer’s is caused by a build-up of amyloid-β and tau proteins in the brain. Research shows that estradiol may help protect the brain by stopping some of these proteins’ harmful effects.
The presence of too many amyloid-β proteins increases the production of damaging free radicals in the brain. Molecules called antioxidants help neutralize these, with estradiol helping reduce free radicals to safer levels. Estradiol suppresses the build-up of toxic free radicals in the brain, which also reduces your risk of having a stroke. Consequently, this is one of the main reasons we don’t prescribe estrogen blockers. Doing so could be damaging to the brain.
Memory loss due to thyroid imbalance
Thyroid hormones T4 and T3 also play an essential role in memory and spatial awareness. If the thyroid is underperforming (hypothyroidism) or your body can’t process these hormones effectively, issues can occur. Studies [2] show that a lack of these hormones can significantly reduce the volume of the right hippocampus; the area of the brain responsible for memory, social behavior, and spatial awareness.
At Male Excel, our trained medical providers know how to recognize the signs of thyroid problems. With the proper tests, we can rebalance all your hormone levels back to optimal, improving memory and brain fog symptoms.
Stress and cortisol's impact on memory
Long-term stress can also affect your brain. When you are in stressful situations, cortisol releases into your body, heightening your senses. If levels are high continuously, it can be damaging to memory can potentially slightly reduce your brain size.
Over time, stress can also increase your risk of other health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and depression. When you are stressed, cortisol reduces testosterone levels. If your testosterone levels are too low, estradiol levels will fall along with their protective effects on memory. If you can reduce the stress, cortisol will fall, allowing beneficial testosterone and estradiol to normalize.
Ready to finally see the results you’ve been looking for? Get started with our free hormone assessment today to get started on your HRT journey!
Other Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Frequently asked questions
HRT stands for hormone replacement therapy. Hormone levels are tested and medications are administered to help hormones such as testosterone and thyroid reach their optimum levels.
TRT stands for testosterone replacement therapy. Testosterone is given to combat decreasing levels in men. This is to fight the usual signs and symptoms of aging such as fatigue, weight gain, loss of libido, and muscle loss.
We offer a daily injectable Testosterone Cypionate or a twice-daily Lipoderm cream. Both are bioidentical. We also prescribe Triclozene (Clomiphene Citrate) for men, which can help improve several aspects of male health, including low testosterone levels, hormone ratios and sperm production.
The benefits of HRT are extensive but include the following: healthy heart and blood, less fat, more muscle, stronger bones, improved libido, better sleep, improved memory, spatial ability and mental reasoning, improved mood, and better sex.
On average it takes approximately 7 business days from ordering your test kit to receiving your results. This is obviously dependent on how quickly you complete and return the test via free return postage. Once we have received your results, a dedicated medical provider will review this along with your online assessment to create your personalized treatment plan.
This is a very difficult question because there is no definitive answer. Everybody is biologically different and responds to the treatment differently. For detailed information, click here.
The test indicates whether you will benefit from this treatment and what your current hormone levels are. We can then know the proper medication to get your testosterone and thyroid to their optimum levels.
Our blood spot test measures 5 key hormone levels. It offers distinct advantages over traditional testing methods because it eliminates the need for a blood draw – saving patients time and money. Our blood spot test is a simple to use test that is done in the comfort of your own home. It involves a finger prick and 12 drops of blood dropped onto a card. We include free return postage with your test for your convenience.
Yes. HRT is safe when monitored by a licensed medical provider. This is why we require yearly testing and symptoms questionnaires every 2 months.
The treatment is effective for as long as you take it. Once you stop taking HRT your levels will return to the levels they were previously.
What people say
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Studies and References:
Cooke GE, Mullally S, Correia N, O’Mara SM, Gibney J. Hippocampal volume is decreased in adults with hypothyroidism. Thyroid. 2014 Mar;24(3):433-40. doi: 10.1089/thy.2013.0058. Epub 2014 Feb 24. PMID: 24205791.