I’m 52 now and in reasonably good health overall, but lately I've felt a bit… off. I used to be a master at multitasking, but now have a hard time focusing. I’ve also had a few “senior moments” recently - entering a room and forgetting why I’m there, misplacing my keys, etc. The other morning I was in the kitchen making breakfast and getting ready for work when I got a text from a co-worker. I hurried out the door to my office so I could speak to her in person. Once I arrived to work, I reached into my purse for my ID card and discovered a rather large wedge of parmesan cheese. Now, I like cheese as much as anyone, but certainly didn’t mean to bring it to work with me. Is this sort of thing common, should I be concerned?
- Lottie, Manchester
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Susan *Caria Expert6 years ago
Hi Lottie, what you’re experiencing is very normal and a common occurrence amongst women. Around 60% of women in studies report having menopause-related cognitive impairment. Changes in your hormones (specifically estrogen) is the culprit here — it’s responsible for many common symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, and also ‘brain fog’, which sounds like what you’re experiencing. It’s important to know that you’re not alone, and that it’s temporary. It's found that brain function eventually returns to normal after you’ve completed the menopausal transition. In the meantime, healthy lifestyle changes like adopting a Mediterranean diet (rich in fruits, veggies, whole grains, legumes, nuts and healthy fats), exercising, and minimizing alcohol consumption can all protect and boost your brain health, as well as your mood. If your brain fog ever becomes troubling, consult your doctor as there are both hormonal and non hormonal treatments that can help with relieving cognitive symptoms.
Lottie6 years ago
Thanks for answering my question! It's very reassuring that it's not just me and this too shall pass (hopefully soon!). I've started to make changes to my diet and am tracking the intensity of my brain fog daily to see if it helps.
Anonymousreplying to Lottie6 years ago
This was helpful!
Anonymous6 years ago
Hi Susan, I am 52 as well and notice a bunch of changes, what age will the menopause transition ends?
Susan *Caria Expertreplying to Anonymous6 years ago
Hi there! I wish there was a clear answer, but it’s different for every woman. On average, perimenopause lasts 4 years, but for some women it’s much shorter (only a few months), and for others it can be much longer (10 years). Most women usually reach natural menopause (12 months without periods) between the ages of 40 and 58 - the average age in the US is 51. The best way to determine where you are in your journey is to track your cycle and symptoms regularly and observe how things change over time. And of course, take good care of your mind and body during this period!
Elwi6 years ago
I’ve noticed when I rush around this is what happens. It feels like I am on autopilot and doing silly things, misplacing things, can’t recall if I’ve done it or who did it etc. This story is funny but is not. It leaves us feeling as we are specious from different planet. Worrying even more about ourselves. I’ve recently started being a bit like, man 1 thing at the time. What the heck? You may say but it works. I do 1 thing and then have a minute break before going to the next one. I’ve noticed that acknowledgment of this part of my life helped me to be present in now, in this moment. It does feel good as I’m in pace and control of myself in a good way. I needed to start thinking about ME, ok I’m working and need to do stuff for others but I don’t need to rush to serve them straight away. They can wait 5 minutes more. We as a women create this super women world! It’s fine for ladies to have that opportunity but please let the peace be without yourself, be true to yourself. Our mental health is important. Things in life do fireback at us. But slowing down doesn’t mean being less productive (as we worry about it) it means we’re having time to acknowledge beautiful things and people. PS my dream is to live in caravan and have a garden around it. I’ve been planting plants on my balcony as this is what I can do at this moment but being creative about this dream helps to move on forward...
Lynn V6 years ago
I too am 52 and used to be very good at multitasking, I have a job which carries a lot of responsibility and I now have to really take my time doing things as I feel I can only concentrate on one thing at a time. I feel like sometimes I come across as being a bit ditzy. I do a lot of walking but suddenly I have aching muscles. I’m wondering about trying HRT to see if it makes a difference. Has anyone found HRT good for aching muscles and forgetfulness?
Anonymous6 years ago
I mirror what you have said in your text. I am nearly 52 have brain fog but recently have found my joints and muscles hurt a lot and is worrying me. I have never felt like this and have always had so much energy and resilience but now I just hurt from head to toe. I am also considering HRT especially after reading a book called Oestrogen matters.
Theresa6 years ago
I am 42 and had a forced menopause after a hysterectomy. I was absolutely fine for roughly 6 years but this last three have been consumed with brain fog. Very frustrating and not like my “old self” at all. I say old self as a lot of what has come with the menopause has made me feel like a completely different person. Even with HRT the brain fog and fatigue can be overwhelming.
Lara6 years ago
I know exactly how you feel. I'm 51 and going through natural menopause (though it seems very unnatural to me!) and the idea of feeling like a "different person" really resonates with me. I think everyone expects to feel different to some extent as they get older, but I was not anticipating the extent to which mental/emotional changes occur with menopause. Like the first poster said, I've heard others say that this eventually passes, but I truly hope that happens sooner rather than later, because I can't wait to get back to feeling like my old self...
Tam6 years ago
This has been the most frustrating of my symptoms. I’ve been suffering from memory loss/brain fog for at least 4 years and it’s impacted my job, my personal life and my confidence. Losing my keys Is the least of it. I used to pride myself on my ability to cut through the c**p and get stuff done, but my brain now struggles to focus and work things through. I have many an embarrassing moment when mid-way through an embrace with an old friend I panic and forget their name, or midway through a sentence I lose my thread or can’t recall the simplest of words to articulate myself. I’ve been trying to manage with vitamins, but nothing appears to be working, and guess what? I often forget to take them! You couldn’t make it up! I’ve found a few coping mechanisms, like emailing myself reminders, and look forward to the day that it passes. Until then I will try to maintain a sense of humour and laugh the next time I find my hairbrush in the fridge!
Anonymous6 years ago
You have described me Tam! I literally had to leave a new job because I struggled to process stuff quickly. Self esteem went down SH&T creek. ‘Feel’ vitamins have brought out a cognitive aid supplement and I’ve discovered a brilliant meditation/visualisation app that uses beta, gamma, theta beats which uses brain synchronisation. It’s called ‘meditate.me’I really believe is helping
Susan6 years ago
I find it frustrating that my two daughters talk to me as if am an old age pensioner this really gets me down.
Jean6 years ago
I know this is a source of frustration for some of my friends who are mothers. I'm curious if you have considered talking to your daughters to explain what you're going through (or have done it already)? My mother never talked to me about what she was feeling when she went through menopause and I wish she had. Perhaps I could've been more understanding and considerate (and also more aware about what's to come).
Trezreplying to Jean6 years ago
Hi Jean, I’ve recently talked to my daughters aged nearly 13 and 10 to try to explain why I’ve been irritable and snappy at times. The eldest has been sympathetic and understanding whilst it’s probably all a bit too much too soon for the youngest but I believe in being open and honest with them now. I vaguely remember my own Mother having the irritability but not really talking that much about what she was going through. It’s only now in later years, I’m 47, she’s 70 that she can offer advice and support having experienced it herself.
Mindy6 years ago
Hi Lottie, Just to add, as a matter of interest: while studying for my MSc in Neuroscience and Education I found out that oestrogen is needed in the hippocampus in order to encode new memories. That explained a thing or two, I can tell you! Even men need oestrogen for new memories; they make it out of testosterone. ?
Lottie6 years ago
Hi Mindy, I had no idea estrogen affects memory but that does make sense. I'll tell my husband about it as well! Thanks also to everyone for sharing their stories and words of support. It helps tremendously to know that I'm not alone in dealing with these things, especially during those times that feel like I've gone a bit mad. :)
Leigh6 years ago
What vitamin if any helps with oestrogen?
Sandra6 years ago
Hi I’ve experienced this too!! At 50 I’m out of a job for the first time in 30 years and it’s really not the time to have anxiety and bloody brain fog (slapping the forehead)!! I’m finding this quite debilitating. I did try HRT, it didn’t make a difference for me. But, I do know women who have said it turned their life back around. I’ve been working on mindfulness, acceptance and trying my best to keep moving forward. I used to be so good at all this, but non of my usual confidence boosting practices have been working. Little spurts of energy have soon demonised. But I will keep on trying all the same!
Kimberly6 years ago
I too found I can be Brain dead at times. I started a higher dose of omega 3 and it has helped