The relationship between social connectedness and cognitive performance is particularly complex during perimenopause, when women transition from the reproductive period to menopause. New research suggests that loneliness and social isolation are not only independently associated with declines in subjective cognitive function during perimenopause, but also show a joint relationship. The research results will be published online today. menopauseJournal of the Menopause Society.
Perimenopause, which usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, is a time of many changes due to the gradual decline in ovarian function and fluctuating estrogen levels. Common physical symptoms include hot flashes and trouble sleeping. Significant emotional and cognitive changes also occur, affecting women’s memory, attention, and processing speed.
Identifying women at high risk of subjective cognitive decline is of great public health importance for early implementation of interventions to reduce cognitive decline. In a new study of more than 900 perimenopausal women, researchers sought to determine the independent and joint associations between loneliness and social isolation and subjective cognitive decline in perimenopausal women. They defined loneliness as a subjective social experience that reflects a person’s dissatisfaction with existing social relationships and lack of emotional connection, whereas social isolation is an objective state characterized by limited social networks, infrequent social interactions, and reduced social participation.
Previous studies have shown that both loneliness and social isolation are significant risk factors for a variety of adverse health outcomes, including cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality, but their role in perimenopausal women has been unclear. In addition to fluctuating hormone levels, perimenopausal women already face additional stressors, including major life changes such as children going to college, increased caregiving for aging parents, and in some cases changing occupational roles.
This new study specifically aimed to identify high-risk groups for subjective cognitive decline in perimenopausal women based on latent class analysis and to further explore the independent and joint associations of loneliness and social isolation with subjective cognitive decline. By doing so, we can promote healthy aging by detecting and intervening in early stages of cognitive decline.
The findings are published in the paper “Independent and joint associations of loneliness and social isolation with subjective cognitive decline in perimenopausal women.”
The results of this study highlight the importance of psychosocial factors in cognitive health during the menopausal transition and may inform the development of multidimensional psychosocial interventions targeting people at risk for subjective cognitive decline during this period. ”
Dr. Stephanie Fabion, Medical Director, Menopause Society
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Reference magazines:
Lin, X. others. (2026) Independent and joint associations of loneliness and social isolation with subjective cognitive decline in perimenopausal women. menopause. DOI: 10.1097/GME.0000000000000002763. https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/abstract/9900/independent_and_joint_associations_of_loneiness.628.aspx
