Women who experience worse menopause symptoms may be more likely to develop dementia later in life, a study suggests. Research involving 900 women found those who suffered more with issues such as poor sleep, depression and memory problems typically had poorer cognitive function later in life.

Writing in the journal PLOS ONE, experts from the UK and  Canada called for more research to investigate this link and whether greater menopause symptoms could provide an early alert for dementia risk. Professor Anne Corbett, from the University of Exeter, said: “Changes in cognitive function are part of the normal aging process and are often nothing to worry about.

“However, we know that Alzheimer’s disease starts long before diagnosis and identifying the earliest factors influencing its progression is crucial to helping people access the best treatment and support.

“This study suggests that the menopausal phase could be an important period for assessing dementia risk.”

The women’s brain function was assessed using a scale that considers factors including changes in memory, language, visual-spatial and perceptual abilities, and planning abilities.

Those who experienced more menopausal symptoms also reported more emotional and behavioural changes as they aged.

Use of hormone replacement therapy was linked to fewer neuropsychiatric symptoms but did not appear to have the same effect on brain function.

Prof Corbett said it was important to note that “dementia risk involves many different factors”.

She added: “It’s difficult to know at this stage how much of an effect menopausal symptoms really have, and more research is needed before we can say for certain whether menopause severity should be considered a major risk factor. 

“What we do know is the best way to reduce our risk of dementia is to stay physically active, maintain a healthy weight, and to manage other medical conditions.”