Forgetfulness (Brain Fog) in Perimenopause

Now ... what was I saying?

Did I lock the front door?

Where did I leave my glasses? Oh, that's right, you did ask me to get you bagels at the store. I just don't have the patience to read anymore.

Sound familiar? Unfortunately, forgetfulness and brain fog are two of the most common symptoms experienced by perimenopausal women. However, most women just don't make the connection between menstrual changes and memory.

Losing your memory and problems with concentration can be very frightening. Especially when you think about the possible causes. But for most women going through perimenopause, these are temporary conditions caused by hormonal changes and stress, and not Alzheimer's disease.

What is brain fog?

• It's feeling fuzzy
• Forgetting something you were in the middle of doing
  
• Feeling drugged
  
• Difficulty moving , like you are walking through ... fog

Contributing factors during perimenopause can be the increased incidence of insomnia, as well as the unfortunate fact that our decreasing estrogen levels (we're used to having hundreds of estrogen receptors on the brain) affect brain function and memory.

Here's some reassuring news

Research has shown that the forgetfulness and confusion suffered by women in perimenopause is transitory, rather than a harbinger of more serious problems to come. Researchers from Chicago's Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center gave memory tests over the course of years to perimenopausal women, beginning in 1996. According to researcher Peter M. Meyer, PhD, women shouldn't be worried. He said, "The confusion and memory loss many women feel during [perimenopause] will eventually go away, or melt like an ice cube."

A recent study found that the herb gingko biloba may help improve memory. However, there are also studies that have found the herb does nothing to help memory. As with most natural products, which are not FDA-approved, try them with caution, remembering that there is anecdotal evidence to support either position.
Note: See your doctor to rule out any other cause for forgetfulness and brain fog. Other causes may include medications you are taking.

A Personal Experience

"I've long since stopped expecting to remember anything. Just today, my pre-teen son asked me to fast forward a tape in the VCR so he could save a taped show. Unfortunately, he told me right before he walked out to go to school. Within 10 seconds, I had completely forgotten his request. He was SOOO angry when he got home! Of course, when he reminded me, I remembered. But the show was gone. Too little, too late. What can I tell him? Mommy is a zombie."

Tips to help your memory