Perimenopause and losing words and memory - when you talk for a living

[EveryChairIsWobbly]

Peri for a couple of years now and have been on HRT for 18 months (3 pumps and I have the coil fitted). I have noticed for about a year that I’m losing my words. I know what I want to say but I have a blank. It’s not so bad when I’m writing as I’m not on the spot but I’m afraid that I’m starting to look unprofessional. Half of my working day is in meetings where active discussion is important. I’ve started to hold back and not speak unless necessary because I know I’ll fluff my words. There’s only so many times you can say “sorry, I know I’m being a bit indirect/waffly/unclear”.

I’m also increasingly forgetful. I don’t know if I’ve had a conversation or told a story before. I don’t remember key details that the person in front of me is telling me. Last night I was frustrated that some online shopping had disappeared from my basket when it was there 20 mins earlier (before I was distracted by another task). I eventually checked my emails and realised I’d already checked out and paid 20 mins earlier and I’d forgotten.

Am I doomed? Can I do anything to help this?

Get testosterone. It’s very good for this.

I've started taking 5g creatine a day and am not imagining the improvement. It's cheap as well which is a bonus. Google creatine and cognitive function

Watching with interest as I too have this problem at only 42 with another 20+ years of this ahead. In meetings with c-suite and all thoughts will leave my head and I’ll be unable to recall the most basic details of what I need to talk about. Amazed that I’ve not been fired yet.

Do speak to the Dr and request blood tests first. There are many underlying things that can cause this, not just meno.
Low b12, thyroid issues etc.

Thank you all.

I have a wall of notes and phrases stuck up behind my screen at home so that I can remind myself of what I’m talking about! I’m 46 and have a long time left at work!

Will attempt a GP appointment and have a google too

Could be the progesterone lack. Is your coil due for renewal? Some specialists are identifying progesterone as the key so you could look at taking some on top but would need a meno specialist to prescribe

My coil has been in for 14 months. No one said anything about how long it lasts. I’m only just realising I don’t know. It was fitted to reduce excessive bleeding (also due to peri).

Sounds like the symptoms started when you had your coil put in? They last up to 8 years for HRT use. However it’s worth talking about a different form of progesterone as many women are intolerant to the synthetic one in Mirena. Maybe read up on symptoms and see if it chimes….

How’s your health generally? I only ask because I had b12 deficiency and pernicious anemia and thought I had early onset dementia - forgot simple things like fork (pass me the not spoon not cutting thing) and missed a few meetings as well!

That’s interesting about progesterone intolerance. I am bloated, have gained a stone in a year, face and hair more greasy than usual (I’ve always been oily but now have to wash my hair most days and my face shines after an hour). Whatever I do I can’t lose weight. Constipation, have to take fibre supplements daily just to poop every 2-3 days. Sleep varies but fairly common to wake for an hour (3-4am), sometimes longer. I can sleep in til 8 if needed if WFH though so I catch up this way. Anxious and irritable but I know I’m not actually anxious if that makes sense so I’m somewhat able to ignore this.

Had a polypectomy and scans prior to merina insertion and 8 weeks after so I know everything is healthy plumbing-wise.

@EveryChairIsWobbly those are the symptoms. I got switched for less!

https://www.reddit.com/r/Mirena/comments/mi9vqh/brain_fog_and_mirena/

Lots of people have to try a few to get it right ie bio-identical progesterone pills and there’s a new one I’m about to try called Slynd.

Do some research and if nothing else is up, seems a likely avenue… getting Mirena out is easy

The brain fog drives me mental as well (yes, I know!😁).
I worry all the time that I will forget something important at work, and as Im a nurse it could be pretty serious. I already take multivitamins and creatine to help out but the only thing that works for me is lists.
Basically my entire life is written on whiteboards or in diaries and I cross things off as I do them. TBF I had a pretty bad memory before perimeno but now if it isnt written down somewhere then it wont get done!

I worry too about the brain fog big time. Lists galore but then I can’t remember where I’ve put the list! I start multiple lists a day sometimes cos I’ve lost the previous one gaaaa

That's interesting as I'm unable to take HRT. Can I ask where you get yours from please?

@AnotherNaCha
if i got the coil removed, would the excessive bleeding resume tho? I was on my period for 20+ days a month. Although right now I’d take that over feeling incompetent, frustrated and like I’m losing my mind to be fair.

I’ve ordered some too! Although I might wait until after seeing the GP so I can try one thing at once. I used British Supplements.

The oestrogen will be causing the constipation. Do you need to be on 3 pumps? I’ve recently reduced from 2 to alternating 1 one day 2 the next and it’s reduced the bleeding too. I would ask for body identical progesterone too.

I’m on body identical progesterone and have had periods like this. One time I was talking to a colleague and literally couldn’t remember her name. It’s really scary (as well as pretty embarrassing, when you can’t find the word you’re searching for).
The only correlation I can find was periods of high stress.
Sorry, no real answers there just solidarity!

This is me only a few years older. I’ve just asked for an OH assessment at work because I’m worried I’m not coping with my senior role. I sound incompetent some days and can’t present in meetings as I just forget things. It makes me anxious which in turn means I sound even worse and forget even more!
am considering resigning soon and taking a much lower grade role. Part time.

your hrt regimen is not working at its full potential, you need to talk to a specialist and try some different methods. Body identical is best.

I’m not sure TBH… probably. I’ve literally just had a private meno dr prescribe that new progesterone only pill (Slynd) that’s safe for use in HRT when used alongside transdermal oestrogen instead of the Mirena. It’s helps with heavy periods apparently as I also have this issue

Testosterone - game changer for exactly what you're experiencing.

The pharmacist upped me to three pumps when I complained of hair loss. I had been on 2 pumps for about 6 months at this point. I also started my HRT journey erroneously prescribed daily progesterone pills, which you’re only supposed to do if you’re post menopausal apparently. After a few months the error was spotted and I was reduced to 14 days. But soon after, I had the coil fitted so my journey with progesterone is messy.

I get this and I'm 57 and Ive been on BI HRT for years. Tweaking/changing hasnt helped. I stutter a lot too. I struggle to say my company's name when i answer my phone too. Ive also ordered something from Amazon, forgetting that Ive just ordered it. Downright dangerous in some circumstances.

I get one made by an Irish company as I'm in Ireland but as long as it's creatine monohydrate it's good as far as I understand it. It's an amino acid, body builders take it, you can probably get it in Holland & Barrett etc. I am not a body builder btw! Taking it purely for brain effect. I find it definitely helps with sleep deprivation, helps me keep going.

Recent bbc article on this www.bbc.com/future/article/20250523-the-surprising-health-benefits-of-taking-creatine-powder