Mind Over Menopause
Neurologist-Led Brain Health for Midlife Women
Menopause is a neurologic transition that affects memory, mood, sleep, stamina, and long-term cognitive health. At Healthspan Neurology in Rochester, NY, we provide neurologist-led menopause care to help women feel better now while protecting their future brain health.
Why Menopause and Brain Health Matter
Menopause isn’t just about the ovaries—it’s about the brain.
Many midlife symptoms—brain fog, sleep disruption, mood changes, fatigue, and hot flashes—are driven by changes in the brain’s hormonal signaling. Women are nearly twice as likely to develop dementia as men, and the brain changes associated with dementia often begin decades before symptoms appear. The menopausal transition is therefore a critical window to strengthen brain resilience and support long-term cognitive health.
At Healthspan Neurology, menopause is evaluated through the lens of the brain. As one of the few board-certified neurologists who is also a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, Dr. Gajaweera integrates evidence-informed hormone therapy when appropriate alongside personalized strategies for sleep, nutrition, and lifestyle—supporting both immediate well-being and long-term brain health.
What Many Women Wish They Knew About Menopause and the Brain
Menopause is often treated as a gynecologic transition—but many women first experience it through changes in their brain.
Menopause begins earlier than most women expect
Perimenopause can begin 7–10 years before the final menstrual period, meaning brain-related symptoms often start in the early 40s—long before hot flashes appear.
Brain symptoms are often the earliest signs
Brain symptoms are often the earliest signs of perimenopause and menopause. Brain fog, sleep disruption, migraines, mood changes, and fatigue are common early menopause symptoms driven by fluctuating hormones that affect the brain’s chemistry, structure, and energy use. In fact, up to two-thirds of women report experiencing brain fog during perimenopause.
Hot flashes often appear later
Hot flashes are one of the most recognizable menopause symptoms, but they often occur after years of hormonal change have already begun. These menopause hot flashes are driven by changes in the hypothalamus—the brain’s temperature regulation center—and by the time many women seek help, brain changes related to perimenopause and menopause have often already been underway for years.
Metabolism and brain health are deeply connected
Hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause influence body composition, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and cardiovascular health—factors that also play a major role in long-term brain health and dementia risk.
Understanding these changes earlier allows women to take targeted, evidence-informed action to support both immediate well-being and long-term cognitive resilience.
Ready to take a proactive approach to your brain health?
Common Brain Symptoms During Menopause
Many women seek help because they notice:
Brain fog or memory lapses
Sleep disruption or nighttime waking
Mood changes or increased anxiety
Migraines or worsening headaches
Fatigue and reduced mental clarity
Hot flashes or night sweats
These symptoms are real, common, and treatable when evaluated through a brain-focused approach.
Who This Program Is For
Mind Over Menopause™ is designed for women in their 40s, 50s, and early 60s who want to understand what’s happening in their brains during the menopausal transition and take proactive steps to support long-term brain health.
You may benefit if you:
Notice changes in memory, focus, or word recall
Experience sleep disruption, mood changes, or fatigue
Have hot flashes or night sweats
Want to explore evidence-informed hormone therapy or integrative options
Are concerned about long-term brain health or dementia risk
Our Neurologic Approach to Menopause
This program integrates neurology, hormone science, and personalized risk assessment to understand what’s changing and what to do next.
Care may include:
Evidence-informed menopausal hormone therapy when appropriate
Personalized sleep and circadian rhythm strategies
Nutrition and metabolic health optimization
Stress resilience and mental wellness support
Targeted lifestyle and prevention strategies
Want to learn if this approach is right for you?
How Our Neurologic Approach to Menopause Is Different
Traditional menopause care often focuses on symptom relief and views menopause as primarily a change in a woman’s reproductive status. As one of the country’s few board certified neurologists who are also Menopause Society Certified Practitioners, Dr. Gajaweera views menopause as a profound neurologic restructuring of the brain.
This program provides thoughtful, evidence-informed guidance that integrates hormone therapy when appropriate alongside lifestyle strategies that support both immediate well-being while also prioritizing long-term brain health.
Getting Started With Mind Over Menopause
If you’re ready to feel better now while protecting your long-term brain health, schedule a complimentary introductory call to learn how the Mind Over Menopause Program can help.