Are You Experiencing Memory Issues in Your Late 40s? Menopause Brain Fog Is to Blame

Menopause brain fog may cause memory issues in women. (Image via Pexels/ Kindel Media)
Menopause brain fog may cause memory issues in women. (Image via Pexels/ Kindel Media)

You are highly likely to be aware of menopause, but do you have any idea about menopause brain fog? If not, then we are here to inform you of the same.

People are recently being urged to equip themselves with the knowledge of one of the lesser-known symptoms by a physician who specializes in menopause in women. According to Dr. Asha Kasliwal, while most women are aware of symptoms like irregular periods, hot flashes, trouble sleeping, and mood swings, there is one characteristic that they often fail to link to the condition.

The menopause brain fog is something that Dr. Kasliwal, a doctor at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and owner of her own self-referral menopause clinic, wants to draw attention to. She believes that it is challenging for those who experience it to acknowledge it and discuss the condition with friends, family, or coworkers.


What is Menopause Brain Fog?

Menopause brain fog can cause people to lose their train of thoughts. (Image via Unsplash/ Danie Franco)
Menopause brain fog can cause people to lose their train of thoughts. (Image via Unsplash/ Danie Franco)

Women in their 40s or 50s are likely to experience menopause or the cessation of their periods or menstrual cycles. In the United States, this transition occurs at an average age of 51.

Each woman's symptoms are unique and might range from night sweats to weight gain to hair thinning. Many women also claim to experience general "brain fog" or forgetfulness, which makes it challenging for them to focus on everyday tasks. This is what is referred to as menopause brain fog.


What Do The Experts Say?

Per experts, it is during the changing hormone levels, perimenopause, or the transitional phase around menopause, when women tend to experience brain fog the most. Menopause and perimenopause typically affect women between the ages of 45 and 55. However, it is possible for it to start sooner as well.

Emphasizing the menopause brain fog, Dr. Kasliwal explained this symptom in an interview, sharing:

“In the past people didn't know that it could be part of the menopause. Women are quite used to multitasking and they find they are not able to multitask anymore or find it difficult to switch between different tasks. They have trouble focusing or concentrating on what’s happening. Simple things like not being able to find your car key."

How Menopause Brain Fog Impacts Your Health?

Menopause symptoms are due to hormonal imbalance. (Image via Unsplash/ Jeremy wong)
Menopause symptoms are due to hormonal imbalance. (Image via Unsplash/ Jeremy wong)

One of the many symptoms that leads women to leave their jobs, despite having years of experience, is brain fog. Many refer to it as the menopausal brain drain.

In real life, brain fog can cause people to lose their train of thought mid-sentence. (or even mid-presentation). It can cause an otherwise quick task to take hours, which affects workers' focus and output at work.


How Do You Know When Menopause Starts?

Menopause is a typical aspect of aging. Your menopause experience will be unique to you, from when it begins to the symptoms you'll experience as you get older. To let you know where you are in the process, there are typically certain indicators.

If you start noticing any or all of the symptoms listed below, you may be approaching menopause:

  • Vasomotor symptoms, also referred to as hot flashes
  • Cold flashes, and/or night sweats
  • Discomfort from vaginal dryness during intercourse
  • Urge to urinate (a pressing need to pee more frequently)
  • Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
  • Emotional alterations

These symptoms are brought on by changes in hormone levels. While some women may experience severe menopause symptoms, others may only experience minor ones. Not everyone going through menopause will experience the same symptoms.


What Can Be Done about Menopause Brain Fog?

Dr. Kasliwal adds that it's crucial for women to understand that dementia, which some people think could result from brain fog symptoms, is not always a possibility.

Moreover, Dr. Kasliwal also wants to reassure ladies who were suffering from menopause brain fog that it is unlikely to last for a long time, despite the fact that more research is needed in this area.

Edited by Susrita Das