Brain fog, no motivation, hot sweats in meetings – is this your typical workday?
- Dr Magdalena Cybulska
- Mar 24
- 3 min read
Part 2
Another day in the office, another problem. You just can’t focus on your task. You feel absent-minded and can’t remember where you left off yesterday. You check the calendar and to your horror realise you missed a 1:1 with your manager. You think:
“After the messed-up presentation yesterday I am one foot out of the door already.”
Why are women embarrassed to talk to their employers about menopause? Why is it still a taboo, even though it is a perfectly normal, physiological process? Why such significant number of women suffer in silence, or even quit their jobs? Things need to change! Employers must develop mandatory policies on how to support women through their transition.
I could write a thick book with all the stories about menopausal brain fog that I hear from patients, and how massive of an impact it has on their working lives. Sadly, like other menopause symptoms, it is frequently unsupported by the employers. Patients tell me of being pigeonholed, deprived of important projects or assigned tasks below their ability.
Brain fog is another neurological manifestation of menopause.
It consists of being more forgetful, having a harder time concentrating and more difficulty making decisions. Doctors call this a subtle “cognitive ability decline”. Studies show that 44%-62% of women during menopause experience it.
One woman, a participant of research conducted among menopausal NHS workers, describes how brain fog interferes with her work:
“Frankly I've forgotten every colleague's name. Now I've got no idea what anyone's called. If we're not on Teams and they don't have a label, I've got no chance.”
The science behind the haze
The link between the diminishing level of oestrogen and hot flashes is quite clear and well researched (see Part 1). With brain fog, there exists a scientific debate on the extent to which lack of oestrogen causes cognitive problems. Many questions still remain unanswered.
Studies show important neuroprotective function of oestrogen - women who have been exposed to their own oestrogen for longer (had the first period early and last period late in their lives) had better cognitive ability. There are specific receptors for oestrogen in the brain, and oestrogen in fact regulates the way brain cells work. The interplay of oestrogen and the brain is a complex mechanism and still somewhat mysterious. We need more studies to better understand it.
So you probably wonder – does HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) help with brain fog? Again, evidence is conflicting here - some studies show benefit and others do not. There exists some indication that if HRT is started early after the last period, it may be beneficial for brain fog. However, as always, treatment options need to be discussed with your doctor, who will present all potential benefits and risks, so that you can make an informed decision whether HRT is the right choice for you.
The Good News
Brain fog appears to be temporary, and studies report it can significantly improve during the postmenopause. So do speak with your doctor and remain optimistic: you will soon be able to see the horizon through the mist.
For more information, watch this short video from the Mayo Clinic News Network:
References:
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