Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (more commonly known as PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age. The MSD Manual notes how PCOS is a leading cause of infertility in women and is characterized by various reproductive symptoms. These include irregular periods, reduced fertility, and abnormal androgen levels, often manifesting in skin conditions and excessive facial and body hair. However, PCOS is a highly complex disorder with far-reaching effects beyond common ones in the reproductive system. Case in point, PCOS can also affect various aspects of a woman’s cognitive function.
How does PCOS affect memory?
Reaction time, spatial ability, word recognition, and manual dexterity are only a few cognitive functions believed to be affected by PCOS. Besides these, one of the more common cognitive symptoms brought about by PCOS is memory impairment, as women with PCOS are said to need additional neural resources during a working memory task compared to women without PCOS.
While the exact mechanism behind this cognitive impairment is not yet fully understood, research suggests that higher testosterone levels may be the reason. A study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology found that cognitive function was lower for women with PCOS, wherein they performed poorly compared to women without PCOS. However, their performance increased by a significant amount after anti-androgen medications were administered. It was also seen through a brain imaging scan that the introduction of anti-androgen treatment increased working memory and accuracy in high memory load.
Another possible reason behind this memory impairment may be insulin resistance and the ripple effect of women with PCOS being more susceptible to weight gain, prediabetes, and obesity. This is because obesity can cause damage to the brain in a similar way to Alzheimer’s disease, a disease that begins with mild memory loss. This is seen through shrinkage in various brain regions involved with learning, judgment, and memory.
Inflammation is another factor to consider when it comes to possible causes of memory impairment, as it is linked to cognitive disorders and memory loss. Chronic inflammation is one of the causes for ovaries to produce excess testosterone, making it common among women with PCOS.
How to address PCOS-related memory impairment
Because abnormal androgen levels are said to cause memory impairment in women with PCOS, tackling the problem at the root by administering anti-androgen medication may be one of the best ways to address the issue. Spironolactone is an anti-androgen used to treat hirsutism and other symptoms caused by high testosterone levels in women. This medication’s anti-androgenic effects can reduce the impact of androgens on cognitive function and possibly counter the memory impairment caused by PCOS. Additionally, spironolactone has anti-inflammatory properties that can further protect the brain from damage.
Another way to address the problem is by taking diabetes medications. Metformin for obesity is not only commonly prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but off-label it is also effective for weight loss and as an ovulation induction agent for women with PCOS. Because this medication improves insulin sensitivity and reduces inflammation, it can also help with memory impairment in women with PCOS. Still, it’s essential to consider potential side effects and costs for Metformin; it costs around $30 per month, and users may experience gastrointestinal side effects like nausea and loose stools. As such, it’s critical to consult your doctor first to see if Metformin is the right fit for you as a PCOS treatment.
While medications are optimal for treating cognitive deficiencies such as memory impairment, using products and applications designed to aid memory through reminders can go a long way. Products like ORKA’s recordable alarm clocks that can use personal voices to set reminders for important tasks and events throughout the week are a good investment.