Brain Fog & Menopause

ceceliamartin
Nov 7
3 min read

“I was wondering if you wanted to go to the... umm... what is it called again?”

“Oh my, why did I walk into this room? I meant to get

something, but what was it?”

“Where did I leave my keys?”

My Journey

The phrases I heard above felt all too familiar because I had been the one saying them. As I navigated through menopause, I began to worry. I noticed I was struggling to find words, and it felt as though my mind was a sieve. I feared the worst. I found myself second-guessing my intelligence, my memory, and even my identity. It was exhausting.

When I started talking to my friends, I discovered that we were all experiencing similar challenges, which I later learned was referred to as “brain fog.” I felt relieved to know that it had a name.

However, what struck me the most wasn’t just the fog itself—it was the silence surrounding it. No one had warned me about it. No one had named it. That silence made it even scarier.

Starting the conversation

In "The Menopause Moment" by Kelly Casperson (if you haven't heard of this book, I highly recommend picking up a copy), she dedicates an entire chapter to the concept of the “midlife brain.” In addition to discussing ‘brain fog,’ she also explores mood swings, depression, and rage. While those are topics for another blog post, I found talking and reading about them to be comforting.

Dr. Casperson describes ‘brain fog’ symptoms as:

- Increased difficulty with cognition

- Fatigue

- Forgetfulness

- Slowness in thinking

- Trouble concentrating or recalling information

Studies & Science

Besides Dr. Casperson’s excellent book, there is an uptick in research about perimenopause and menopause, and one topic they are addressing is ‘brain fog’.

According to the Mayo Clinic:

“Brain fog is a condition often used by women during menopause to describe problems with memory, concentration, and focus. It can create concerns that it could be an early sign of dementia or other serious issues. Dr. Kling says patients going through menopause often ask whether their brain fog is a real thing.

"Yes, it is. When I tell women that in the clinic, they're like, 'Oh, thank goodness, I'm not getting dementia, right?' I think a lot of us go there, that it is a reflection of something bad," says Dr. Kling. “ (Mayo Clinic Minute)

Why might this occur?

According to a Harvard Study, “with estrogen receptors in virtually every organ, our bodies are highly sensitive to hormone fluctuations, Dr. Hirsch explains. This means estrogen loss can announce itself in how our brain works.”

Relief?

Based on the information from the sources above, it seems that 'brain fog' is a temporary condition. Personally, I can confirm that I am not struggling as much now as I did two years ago, as I have finally completed menopause. Although I still struggle to find the right word occasionally, it happens less frequently. However, I wish I had known about HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and other options that could have helped me.

Is HRT the solution for ‘brain fog’? According to Dr. Kling at the Mayo Clinic, "We don't have enough studies to say hormone therapy is definitely going to treat those symptoms, but many women notice improvements in their cognitive complaints once their hot flashes and night sweats are better controlled. With treatment for their menopause, their sleep and mood often improve as well."

We don’t have to go through this alone. HRT might be one possible solution, but some women also find relief through sleep hygiene, cognitive exercises, or mindfulness practices. The results can vary from person to person.

At least we now understand that we are not alone in this; we are not losing our minds.

At Luna, we’re committed to helping you navigate this transition with clarity, compassion, and science-backed support.

If this resonates, I’d love to hear your story. You’re not alone, and your experience might help someone else feel less afraid.

Live in peace until next time.

Cecelia