A professor of clinical psychology specializing in dementia has shared her personal experience with memory difficulties linked to perimenopause, highlighting a largely unrecognized symptom known as “brain fog.” The condition, characterized by forgetfulness and cognitive sluggishness, affected her unexpectedly in her mid-40s, causing concern given her professional background in dementia research.
The professor, who has nearly three decades of experience in the field and developed Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) for dementia treatment, described an incident during a World Health Organization meeting where she abruptly lost the ability to recall a common term related to her work. Initially convinced she might be developing dementia, she later identified the symptoms as connected to hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause, a phase often overlooked in discussions about cognitive health.
Brain fog during perimenopause is thought to stem from changing levels of oestrogen and progesterone, hormones that have a significant presence in regions of the brain responsible for memory, such as the hippocampus. The professor noted that additional menopause symptoms—like night sweats and disturbed sleep—can exacerbate cognitive difficulties, creating a challenging cycle of worsening brain fog and increased anxiety.
Despite its prevalence, awareness of brain fog as a menopause symptom remains limited. According to a recent survey involving 15,000 respondents, 86 percent of women reported experiencing brain fog, with many also facing related depression. Yet, clinical advice often lacks specific treatment recommendations, and many women suffer in silence due to the stigma and uncertainty surrounding the condition.
To address this gap, the professor’s team at University College London is developing a targeted program called CST-Meno, which integrates cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to help women reframe their experiences and reduce the impact of brain fog. She stresses that understanding brain fog as distinct from dementia is crucial: while brain fog typically involves intermittent forgetfulness and word-finding difficulties, dementia affects multiple cognitive domains and progressively impairs daily functioning.
Practical strategies for managing brain fog include adjusting daily schedules to align with cognitive fluctuations, focusing on one task at a time, and employing visualization techniques to aid memory. The professor also advocates for open communication about brain fog to lessen embarrassment and promote support.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may alleviate some menopause symptoms, particularly hot flushes and sleep disturbances, indirectly benefiting cognitive function. However, HRT is not a comprehensive solution for brain fog, and cognitive symptoms can persist despite treatment.
Ultimately, the professor encourages women to recognize brain fog as a temporary and common aspect of the menopause transition, urging them to own their experiences without self-judgment or fear. She emphasized that, while challenging, brain fog generally diminishes after menopause, marking an important phase in women’s health that deserves greater acknowledgment and research.