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Have you experienced brain fog during menopause?

By Caria CommunityPublished 18 July 20201 min read

This poll ran on the Caria community site and is now closed. The final results are below.

  • Yes95.79%1,549 votes
  • No4.21%68 votes

1,617 responses in total.

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Community comments

73

Real experiences shared by the community, from the original discussion to today.

  • Luce6 years ago

    Acupuncture helped a lot!

    • KarenMFlynn5 years ago

      In what way did acupuncture help?

  • Shelley6 years ago

    I have brain fog at Least once a day which is extremely frustrating as I have never had a problem with short term memory before. This could also be due to bereavement as I lost my mum at the end of last year.

    • Jen5 years ago

      It could be both. I think people and doctors forget that there can be multiple causes resulting in the same thing. Like headaches. I’ve discovered that you can have several different types of headaches at once requiring very different modes of treatment. If you treat only one type of headache, then you could make the erroneous assumption that the method didn’t work and give up. Or assume that the headaches are caused by something else. I get the feeling that you can apply this same type of analysis to figuring how much if the issues at hand are due to grief and how much to menopause or something else in addition. Unfortunately there seems to be a lot of overlap between menopause and a lot of other psychiatric concerns.

  • Val6 years ago

    I lose my train of thought on a regular basis & find that I repeat myself a lot.

    • Nicole5 years ago

      I am the same way. I find myself taking notes on simple things that I would not have to do.

  • HD6 years ago

    All the time.

  • Nat6 years ago

    Simple spellings and even sometimes stringing a sentence together can be difficult

  • Warty6 years ago

    Yes - missing words when writing a sentence, wandering into a room and forgetting what I was going there for. Misunderstanding instructions and having to read it over and over again. Verbal instructions are worse especially if there are several instructions to take in.

  • Cami6 years ago

    I have it almost permanently since about a year ago when I was 45.

  • Queenie6 years ago

    I struggle to find a word to explain something, I have awful forgetfulness - have to really think to get recall. I give up easily with trying to comprehend instructions, my focus & concentration can be very impaired.

  • Sharon6 years ago

    Words can’t be found for some things.... Conversation stops mid sentence then I can’t remember what I was saying.... Words come out in the wrong order.... Makes me feel so stupid sometimes

    • Jo6 years ago

      Completely my experience - it feels like I’m searching through a dictionary in my head sometimes...... a blank one!

    • Jodi4 years ago

      This is exactly what is happening to me. I remember this happening when I was breast feeding. It really does make you feel so stupid. Well It went away after breast feeding so I am hopeful that It will go away again.

    • Kerry1 year ago

      Oh I really sympathise this is me also

  • Lynn6 years ago

    What can help with brain fog? It makes work difficult at times when half way through speaking in high level or public meetings I lose my train of thought and start rambling. Not a good impression and leaves me feeling low and worried.

    • MaryReBell6 years ago

      Concise bullet points of your points and tell at least one colleague. Ask them to interject if you start rambling to bring you to the next point. Found this helped me initially. But, going forwards, I have been honest with all my colleagues, often with jokey comments, like confirming I will do something but that they have to email or message me as they know I'll forget before I reach my desk!

    • Jen5 years ago

      I would like to know also. My job depends on high mental acuity. I think I lost my last job because of menopause brain fog. I certainly lost my self-esteem.

  • Jo6 years ago

    Forget words, lose my train of thought, need people to repeat themselves so it sinks in! It’s a standing joke with my husband ?

  • CJ6 years ago

    I lose my train of thought quite often and struggle to remember words or phrases or names of things. It’s soo embarrassing.

    • Kk85 years ago

      100% agree

  • Lin6 years ago

    I am B12 Deficient and have regular 3 monthly injections so it’s hard to know what is causing the brain fog b12 or peri menopause. I’m exhausted and again it’s hard to know what is the cause! The only definitite peri menopause symptoms is irregular periods that often come with headaches. I’m 47 and have been experiencing irregular periods since my miscarriage 3 years ago.

  • Smudge6 years ago

    Suddenly found recalling facts (names, place names, object names) difficult. Funny at first. Then found the combination of fog and anxiety about changes at work made me paralysed in decision making. Went from consciously having to slow down my thinking and responses as I was accused of being too quick, to not having the ability to connect a thought with an action.

    • JR5 years ago

      I’m going through something similar. Having a terrible time wormy reading comprehension and my judgements are always off. I’m paranoid people are noticing and thinking I’m not good at my job, which I used to be. I work so hard and yet my brain fails constantly.

  • Tracy6 years ago

    But I’ve also had chemo so not sure if still chemo fog or due to menopause

  • Susan6 years ago

    Sometimes I can’t remember what I was saying my mind goes blank and I have to stop and try and remember what I was trying to say I feel like I am stupid and look stupid also

    • Terrill4 years ago

      Ditto… it’s so frustrating!

  • Diane6 years ago

    Very often! Half way through talking & forget, can’t remember names etc! So frustrating when at work, just wish I could go back to my 20’s/ 30’s memory, never forgot anything then!

  • Lisa6 years ago

    When speaking I sometimes call my children by the wrong name which is annoying. Also, some days feel like my mind is going blank for a brief moment. I have always been sharp and generally good with name & faces etc. It’s so frustrating this menopause as it makes you feel so stupid some days.

    • Julie5 years ago

      I also call my grandchildren by their parents names it’s embarrassing

  • Mahroo6 years ago

    I have been forgetting words and names recently. I speak two languages and it happens in both situations.

  • Sara5 years ago

    Yes some days I get up and I feel like I’m having an outer body experience , I can’t think straight.

  • Heather5 years ago

    I lose my train of thought in the middle of sentences... it’s quite frustrating!

  • Katie5 years ago

    I sometimes feel like I’m in a little bubble out of touch with everything and everyone. It’s like I’m in slow motion.

  • Julie5 years ago

    It’s why I went on hrt as I couldn’t do my job I was a risk to my self and my patients

  • Susan5 years ago

    All the time. Use the wrong word or can’t think of the word I want to use. Spelling is off, forgetting and more forgetting. So good to read others experiences so I do t think I have some crazy horrid disease.

  • Wendy5 years ago

    Gets worst before a hot flash Like brain gets numb for a second or two, it’s hard to get doctors understand. Brain numb Stuffy nose Feeling like bubble in my ears and migraine All together :( missing words :(

  • Liz5 years ago

    So good to read these comments as I thought it was just me! I still feel stupid at times but at least I’m reassured that I’m not alone.

    • JR5 years ago

      You most definitely are not!

  • CM5 years ago

    Yes most days.

  • Nini5 years ago

    It’s been so long, I don’t remember what it was like to think with an unfogged brain.

  • Amy5 years ago

    I definitely experienced brain fog intermittently for the first 3-5 years of perimenopause but it’s definitely faded now that I’m 6-7 years in. It was like my brain was trying to think through jello, and with a mentally demanding career in tech it used to drive me absolutely CRAZY to have a processing slowdown like that. I’m glad it seems to be a phase that’s passed. Hang in there, all!

    • JR5 years ago

      I too am in a mentally demanding career in tech! I’m getting paranoid about my performance issues - I think it’s obvious and I’m pretty scared and worried.

  • Max5 years ago

    Yes I go into like a day dream no good at work n then forget wot am doing or remembering things

  • B5 years ago

    The other day on a work video call, I could not remember anyone’s name. I have worked with them for ages. I forget what I’m saying half way through a sentence and often forget what I was going to do almost as soon as I had the thought.

  • Lynn5 years ago

    It’s very reassuring to know that others get this too as I was beginning to think I was Going mad. It affects me on a daily basis, impacts on my job and that makes you lose your confidence too.

  • Brynton5 years ago

    I have it permanently, it’s so frustrating and it’s coupled with an odd pressure in my head. Not a headache, more like someone has grabbed the inside of my head and is squeezing it.

  • Rach5 years ago

    Not being ‘present’ can’t concentrate for very long. Keep zoning out

  • Jo5 years ago

    This brain fog makes me feel really thick! I can’t type and muddle words and letters up my word finding skills are atrocious when having a conversation. It gives you real lack of self esteem.

  • JR5 years ago

    I literally just downloaded this app because of the terrible cognitive issues I’ve been having for the past 6 months. At first, it was just little things, but lately I feel like it’s affecting my job. I’m feeling very, very distressed as a result which makes the constant confusion worse. I’m just starting to realize I need to make some serious changes in diet and exercise and it’s overwhelming and paralyzes me. I’m just so sad all of a sudden.

    • Ginny2 years ago

      @JR - Please hang in there. You're not alone. Brain fog is so real, and once I realized it was related to menopause, I'm trying to go easier on myself.

  • Bluebell5 years ago

    It’s like my brain becomes a blank white page there’s just nothing there. I drift through days too not able to focus and easily distracted. Plus the inability to recall names, words, phrases that another day are readily part of my vocabulary and always have been!

  • D5 years ago

    Distracted. Forgetful. Difficulty concentrating sometimes. Head feels busy all the time, even when not thinking about/doing anything

  • Shaun5 years ago

    I remember the first time this happened in front of my father. I forgot the name of something we were talking about. What does he tell me, “You’re having a senior moment.” Ugh ?‍♀️! I’m back to working puzzles and learning a new language just to give my brain exercises.

  • Liz5 years ago

    Words simply disappear from my brain. I might be talking about something, let’s say a tv programme I recently enjoyed and I’m in mid flow and I’m literally looking at the television but the word “television” just disappears. It’s like someone has run off with the word. I’m looking and pointing at the tv but the word “television” is gone and my brain has run into a brick wall. I breathe, pause and either the word comes back or I move on x

  • Kk85 years ago

    It’s maddening! My mother suffers from dementia and at first, I was worried about myself at an early age. However, it makes me feel better it’s a normal symptom of menopause.

    • J95 years ago

      Yes, I’ve been so scared that I have early Alzheimer’s so it’s good to know it might be perimenopause instead. Why don’t Doctors know this? Mine wants me to get a brain scan…but never even talked about the possibility of this being hormonal.

  • Mar5 years ago

    I begin to feel terrible when talking and then forget what I was saying. This is been happening for over a few years now. But most often it occurring and I’m getting frustrated. Is there something to take for it?

  • Barb5 years ago

    Sometimes when conversing I step on other peoples sentences so that I don’t forget what I'm trying to say. I Find myself saying “Did I tell you that already?” Or “Did I already mention….?” Constantly saying to myself what is that word?! It is affecting my work. I don’t have the same clarity or momentum. I am losing confidence. I’m in there somewhere! This has got to have an end right? I can’t take the hot flashes any more.

  • Kim4 years ago

    This is probably the most frustrating symptom. I have gone from the person the remembers everything, to forgetting what I am doing, and stopping mid sentence when speaking because I’ve forgotten the words.

  • LA4 years ago

    Word find is increasing to the point that my children are supplying words for me. Some short term memory challenges.

  • Nille4 years ago

    When I speak, sometimes I cannot find the word I want to say or I miss pronounce the word I’ve said a million times before. It’s like I have a speech impediment. Any suggestions?

  • Sassy_Amnesia4 years ago

    I have felt like I’m losing my mind

  • Sue3 years ago

    Struggling to get words out when in your mind you know what to say. Forgetting the simplest of things and things that happened an hour ago or the day before.

  • Claire3 years ago

    Constantly forgetting conversations I had with family, forgetting peoples names who I had known for years, forgetting why I had walked into room or things to tell people mid conversation

  • LLuLLu3 years ago

    I have these moments that last less than a minute of sudden confusion and feel completely lost… it’s very scary every time even though I know it’s happening.. almost as if I’m standing out watching myself go through it less than a minute. While it is happening I can hear someone speak but can’t understand or speak/answer in return.. I have to wait for it to pass before I can even try to speak again. It gets worse right before my period/during/and a few days after. I hate it! I journal how many times a day I get it.. Has anyone else experienced this?

  • Cin3 years ago

    This has been the absolute worse symptom for me. I constantly have to take notes and create reminders for the simplest things because if ai don’t, I will forget things.

  • Sparkle3 years ago

    Yes - unable to find words when talking , makes me feel like I am getting dementia. I also have problems thinking, overwhelmed and find it hard to make decision when I would have been quite capable before.

  • Kate3 years ago

    Go to say something and it’s like the entire contents of my brain have emptied out and I’ve opened an empty drawer!!

  • Donna2 years ago

    I have constant brain fog but no one understands I’m not being stupid, it’s just I can’t find the words I need in a conversation or remember simple things, there are times my mind goes completely blank and other times it’s like I don’t hear what’s been said. It’s like my mind switches off. I get very frustrated and down because it’s hard to explain to others that haven’t experienced it.

  • Readit1011 year ago

    I’m constantly writing notes but once that page is turned ive completely forgotten what I had wrote

  • Kerry1 year ago

    I’m experiencing a lot of brain fog, confusion forgetfulness someone could say something and seconds after I’m asking them to repeat it but it’s made a lot worse due to stress at work as I work

  • KJT1 year ago

    I’m experiencing a lot of brain fog, forgetfulness, confusion but it’s made a lot worse due to stress at work as I work in a tense environment where mistakes I make at the moment while covering illness and a leaver could be life threatening to animal health. I feel this is a lot of pressure which exacerbates these symptoms which then in turn causes anxiety and stress related symptoms. I’ve also been put on a performance improvement plan and whilst “they say” it’s not related to my menopause it is as I’m getting in trouble for mistakes I’m making as a direct consequence of my symptoms which I’m aware is an offence to do. It looks like other departments have been doing the same after speaking to a group of women within our menopause group., which is affecting mine and other peoples health, anxiety especially through a year of tense redundancies across the business is worrying in itself but when you are basically receiving a punishment rather than a supportive behaviour which could relieve a bit of stress in helping to feel like your not so alone in this difficult journey. Any advice or suggestions/support would be most welcomed as I’m worrying so much about loosing my job and whilst they couldn’t fire me the could restructure as they are at the moment and say it’s down to this. Thank you

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