Ep 418: The Menopause Brain with Dr. Lisa Mosconi

Money touches everything in our lives — including our health. And women know there’s one topic that has long been ignored in American society, to the detriment of millions of women: menopause.  It’s a big deal. By 2030, 1 billion women worldwide will have entered (or will be about to enter) menopause and on average, medical costs for menopausal women ages 45 to 54 are 47% higher than they are for women of the same age who don’t exhibit menopause symptoms. Dr. Lisa Mosconi discusses her new book: “The Menopause Brain,” and explains how the transition impacts our brains and our lives.  In Mailbag, HerMoney Editor-in-Chief Kathryn Tuggle is back to answer some down-to-the-wire tax time questions: A listener asks how she should prioritize paying the IRS vs. a credit card bill, and we hear from someone who’s having trouble getting a W2 for her daughter’s summer job. In our news of the week, why we still feel so bad about the economy and how stars mentioning a brand can move the needle on Wall Street.  Takeaways: Menopause is a neuroendocrine transition state that impacts the brain as much as it does the ovaries. Neurological symptoms during menopause, such as hot flashes and memory lapses, are a result of the brain's response to hormonal changes. Finding the right healthcare provider who is knowledgeable about menopause is crucial for receiving appropriate care. Workplaces should implement changes to support women going through menopause, such as flexible schedules and a culture of understanding and inclusiveness. Menopause can be a time of personal growth and new beginnings, and women should prioritize self-care and mental well-being during this stage of life. Chapters: 00:00:00: Introduction and News of the Week 00:06:24: What is Menopause, Really? 00:08:25: Neurological Symptoms of Menopause 00:13:50: The Reshaping and Rewiring of the Brain During Menopause 00:18:36: Life Contentment and Menopause 00:20:22: Financial Costs of Menopause 00:25:57: Navigating Menopause in the Workplace 00:28:36: Second Adulthood and "Menno-Start" 00:31:31: Mailbag Segment Begins 00:35:15: Discussion on Tax Debt vs. Credit Card Debt 00:39:12: Filing Taxes Without a W-2 and Roth IRA Concerns Join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! The HerMoney with Jean Chatzky podcast is sponsored by Edelman Financial Engines. The podcast team and its host are neither employees nor clients of EFE, however, the show does receive fixed compensation and is a paid endorser and therefore has an incentive to endorse EFE and its planners. To learn more about the sponsorship, please visit PlanEFE.com/HerMoney. Please contact [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast, and to learn more about Airwave, head to www.airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices