Menopause and cognitive function

[pinduckdo]

Hi. I've read how woman in Menopause can think they are developing dementia or something isn't right! I'm 48, have mirena coil, no periods for 3 years. Weight gain, hot flushes.
I'm worried something is wrong. I have a stressful, fast paced job (team manager) multiple priorities, in meetings, taking meetings etc etc most of the day. I work from home, maybe this is a factor? also single with teenager.
Some days I just can't put things together, sinple things to others just don't make sense to me. I have to read things 2 or 3 times before it will sink in or I begin to understand what it means.. I feel slow....but it does vary. I'm beginning to feel a bit trapped in my brain, if that makes sense. Plus I overcomplicate things. It could be stress, depression, peri Menopause or could it be something more to worry about? anyone else feel this way?

Not an expert but I suspect it's peri. I have the cognitive stuff without the hot flashes (47)

i completely understand! Sometimes I get halfway through a sentence and totally forget what words come next and there’s a long dramatic pause. I teach and the kids look at me as if I have become a stuck video that’s buffering.

Try taking the supplement Lion’s Mane (its a mushroom, i take it in tablet form). It’s great for cognitive function, and I have found it reallt effective for peri brain fog.

Yep same here. Went to a work event on menopause and it was listed as top symptom.

We were advised to slow down a little, one thing at a time. Help yourself out by using alarms, calendar, lists etc.

I have just ordered some. From a quick google it seems like a well known eastern medicine which is having initial promising results in scientific tests.

Yep, menopause in all it's glory. Brain fog, forgetfulness and fatigue are the worst symptoms for me. Look at supplements, try and eat well. Coil will be helping a bit apparently.

Sounds like classic menopause. Have you considered taking HRT? That really helped my brain fog.

Hrt was the only thing that fixed it. Actually had a brain scan as it got so bad.

I'm having the same. It's concerning as I work as a lawyer. I'm going to try the lions mane stuff mentioned.

If you're already using the Mirena coil @pinduckdo you can just add estrogen to create HRT (Mirena gives you the progesterone part of HRT.)
What you describe is classic peri.

I'd avoid supplements because there is no scientific evidence that any of them work. If they did they'd be prescribed.

Thanks all for your messages. I was already prescribed HRT along with the coil. I stopped using it. I don't feel I have a choice but to go back on HRT. It definitely did help. So, I've started again this morning. It seems ingrained in my mind the risks but I think these are outdated..

Im 51 now and in full blown menopause- 4 years ago I was you, marina coil, mini hot flushes and wooly - brain.

does the brain fog go away? I've no idea if I'm past peri as the coil stopped periods.

yes for me the brain fog cleared up with HRT and regular exercise. It was awful though.

HRT definitely helped my brain fog and made a huge difference to my mood.

The risks are very low so I think you have to balance those out with the benefits and your quality of life. I'm high risk for breast cancer (due to my family history) but after a lot of discussion with doctors at my breast clinic and the menopause clinic, I still chose to take HRT as I had no quality of life otherwise. I was a goldfish without it. Whereas now my brain works again (actually got promoted at work this year).

I had a mirena from 37 to 52, had it out and had some periods, but really due to that I had no idea where I was with the menopause.

I have a similar sounding job to you and by my early 50s I thought I was going crazy with a chronic lack of confidence, hesitant when making decisions and brain fog, just completely forgetting the right word.

I started HRT at 52 and honestly at that point I was considering leaving my job.

Anyway, HRT has been fantastic and I feel back at the top of my game, probably addressed 95% of my symptoms. I'm 54 now and not giving it up any time soon.

Also to add I find it much better going into the office rather than working remotely. I go into the office 2-3 times a week as I find it less stressful to be around my colleagues and team.

Another symptom maybe? why am I thinking of death and dying? I wonder if I'm just too isolated wfh. I'm scared being on my own that something will happen amd my son will find me. I've had a lot of weight gain and think I'm in denial, however I have joined the gym. I worry about heart attack. It's just awful!

Sone of this could be peri anxiety op. Hrt should help with that too.

Look into testosterone OP. Louise Newson has some great info about how it relates to mental functioning on her podcast/YouTube.

My symptoms were weight gain and going off sex, doctor prescribed some hormones to help but one of the side effects was weight gain,put me right off taking them...so still fat and not feeling sexy 😬😬😬

The thought of sex actually disgusts me. I don't have a partner so guess it doesn't matter? Not sure how I will ever find one the way I feel