Women's Journal — Health, Beauty, Fitness & Lifestyle
UCLA Study Reports Less Menopause Brain Fog After Hormones
A small UCLA Health case series found that 20 menopausal women reported improvements in brain fog and several cognitive symptoms after 12 months of customized estriol and progesterone treatment. The findings add preliminary evidence to research on menopause brain fog, but the uncontrolled study cannot show that the hormone regimen caused the changes. Key Takeaways The study followed 20 menopausal women with a mean age of 53.5 for 12 months. Participants received customized oral estriol and progesterone treatment and reported improvements in six cognitive areas, including brain fog and memory. The human findings were based on self-reported symptoms measured before treatment and again at 12 months. The study had no placebo group, randomization, or untreated comparison group, preventing researchers from establishing causation. Researchers called for larger placebo-controlled trials using standardized cognitive testing and brain imaging. UCLA Study Finds Improvement in Self-Reported Cognitive Symptoms UCLA researchers reported statistically significant improvements in menopause brain fog and several related cognitive complaints after 20 women received customized estriol and progesterone treatment for 12 months. Published September 1, 2026, in Scientific Reports, the observational case series included menopausal women with a mean age of 53.5. Participants rated their cognitive symptoms before treatment and again at
Planetary Health Diet Linked to Lower Heart Risk in Older Women
A 20-year study involving nearly 67,000 postmenopausal women found that closer adherence to the Planetary Health Diet was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. The research adds evidence supporting plant-forward eating patterns as part of healthy aging while emphasizing that the findings identify an association rather than cause and effect. Key Takeaways A 20-year U.S. study followed 66,892 postmenopausal women. Greater adherence to the Planetary Health Diet was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers reported lower risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure among women with the highest adherence. The analysis adjusted for multiple health and lifestyle factors, including age, smoking, physical activity, body mass index, and calorie intake. Researchers stated the observational study cannot determine that diet alone caused the lower disease risk. A long-term U.S. study found that women who more closely followed the Planetary Health Diet experienced a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than women whose diets were least aligned with the eating pattern. Researchers analyzed health and dietary information from 66,892 postmenopausal women who participated in the Women’s Health Initiative, with participants followed for approximately 20 years. The study examined whether adherence to the Planetary Health Diet was
NEWS
FITNESS
LIFESTYLE
Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields Raises $20 Million
Olivia Rodrigo’s inaugural Daisy Chain Fields festival raised $20 million for nonprofits supporting women and girls after philanthropist Melinda French Gates matched the event’s initial $10 million fundraising total. The one-day festival took place Aug. 29 at Great Park in Irvine, California, and brought together Rodrigo with an all-women lineup of performers. Key Takeaways Daisy Chain Fields initially raised $10 million for organizations supporting women and girls. Melinda French Gates matched the initial amount with an additional $10 million. The combined fundraising total reached $20 million. The inaugural festival was held at Great Park in Irvine, California, on Aug. 29. Proceeds are benefiting 10 nonprofit organizations supporting women and girls. The lineup included Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, Doechii, Mitski and Bikini Kill. Daisy Chain Fields Raises $20 Million for Women and Girls Daisy Chain Fields raised an initial $10 million through its inaugural festival before Melinda French Gates committed another $10 million to match the amount. The combined $20 million is being directed to 10 nonprofit organizations supporting women and girls. The fundraising was part of the festival’s stated purpose. Rather than functioning solely as a live music event, Daisy Chain Fields connected its performances with financial support for organizations
BEAUTY
OPINION
