Forgetting where you’re parked, why you crossed a room, or someone’s name aren’t just signs of old age. They may indicate the onset of menopause, a US study has found.

Two-thirds of women say they suffer memory problems in menopause. But lead researcher Dr Arun S. Karlamangla says: ‘The good news is when women are finished with the menopause transition and in steady post-menopause, cognitive performance, memory and learning all come back to pre-menopause levels.’