Could Loneliness Affect Memory and Thinking During Perimenopause?

Menopause Research: A new study explored whether loneliness and social isolation are linked to self-reported memory and thinking difficulties during the menopause transition.

Many women notice changes in memory, concentration, or mental clarity during perimenopause. While fluctuating hormones are often part of the picture, they are not the only factor that can influence brain health during this stage of life.

Emotional well-being and social connections also play an important role. Feeling lonely or becoming socially isolated can affect mood, stress levels, sleep, and overall health, all of which may influence how the brain functions over time.

It’s important to note that loneliness and social isolation are not the same as being single or living alone. A person can be married or surrounded by others and still feel lonely, while someone who lives alone may have strong social connections and not experience loneliness.

Researchers are increasingly exploring how these social and emotional factors relate to cognitive health during the menopause transition. Understanding these relationships may help women identify additional ways to support their brain health alongside other healthy lifestyle habits.

What Did the Researchers Investigate?

Researchers wanted to better understand whether loneliness and social isolation were associated with subjective cognitive decline during the menopause transition. While these social factors have previously been linked to poorer cognitive health in older adults, less is known about their potential impact during perimenopause.

They also explored whether experiencing both loneliness and social isolation together was associated with a greater likelihood of cognitive difficulties than experiencing either one alone.

How Was the Study Conducted?

Researchers analyzed data from 903 perimenopausal women who took part in a cross-sectional study conducted between March and September 2024. Participants completed validated online questionnaires that measured loneliness, social isolation, and subjective cognitive decline —a term used to describe changes in memory or thinking that a person notices themselves, even if formal cognitive testing has not identified measurable impairment.

They compared the results while also taking into account other factors that could influence cognitive health, including age, education, race and ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), smoking, depression, anxiety, sleep quality, hot flashes, and hormone levels.

What Did the Study Find?

The researchers found that both loneliness and social isolation were independently linked to a greater likelihood of subjective cognitive decline during perimenopause.

Women who experienced both loneliness and social isolation had the highest likelihood of severe subjective cognitive decline, suggesting that the combined effect of these two factors may be greater than experiencing either one alone.

These associations remained even after accounting for the other factors (see How was the Study Conducted). Because this was an observational study, the findings do not prove that loneliness or social isolation cause cognitive decline. Instead, they show that these factors are linked and may play an important role in brain health during the menopause transition.

What Do These Findings Mean?

Brain health during perimenopause is influenced by more than hormonal changes alone. Emotional well-being and regular social interaction may also contribute to how women experience memory, concentration, and mental clarity during this stage of life.

While more research is needed to understand exactly how these relationships work, the findings suggest that addressing loneliness and maintaining meaningful social connections could become an important part of supporting cognitive health alongside other healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular physical activity, good sleep, stress management, and a balanced diet.

For women experiencing persistent or worsening memory concerns, it is important to discuss these symptoms with a healthcare professional, as cognitive changes can have many possible causes.

Study Limitations

This study has several limitations that should be considered. Because it was cross-sectional, it captured information at a single point in time and cannot determine whether loneliness or social isolation caused subjective cognitive decline.

The findings were based on self-reported online questionnaires, including participants’ own experiences of memory and thinking difficulties rather than objective cognitive tests. As with any self-reported data, responses may be influenced by personal perceptions or recall.

Further studies that follow women over time are needed to better understand how social relationships and emotional well-being influence cognitive health throughout the menopause transition.

Lillepin Takeaway

Memory and concentration changes during perimenopause are often linked to hormonal changes, but this research suggests that emotional well-being and social connections may also play an important role.

Although the study cannot prove that loneliness or social isolation cause changes in memory or thinking, it highlights the importance of looking after both mental and social health during the menopause transition.

Staying connected with family, friends, and your community—alongside maintaining healthy lifestyle habits—may help support overall brain health as more research continues to emerge.