No good

[Toastandmarmite999]

I'm mid-50s.
I used to be bright, switched on. I'm educated to Masters level, but since menopause, I've lost my brain, and was 'let go' nicely at the job before my current one, because I kept making mistakes.
My current job - which I love - is now hanging by a string, because of some seriously stupid errors I've made and I'm beginning to realise that I can't hold down a job that requires too much responsibility. I feel completely useless and am looking to dumb down in any future employment, which I worry will make me feel depressed - like a faliure.
Has this happened to anyone else?

Yes and I'm hoping it will pass. I used to be very eloquent (essential for my profession) and now sometimes I can't remember basic words!! Don't feel like a failure though. You aren't. You are just a woman and we are governed by the effects of hormones throughout our lives.

I feel I’m bumbling along and that my colleagues/managers think I’m an idiot. I do have a degree but can’t cope with any more training as new systems are introduced. Been there forever so would be hard to get rid of me, but it is a worry. 16 years until I retire, no clue how I’ll make it tbh.
HRT can only do so much, I don’t drink alcohol, I take high strength magnesium, ubiquinol, NMN. I’m prescribed vitamin D and b12 injections so my levels of those are fine, my ferritin levels are also fine.
I keep hearing about lions mane mushrooms for clarity but I’m spending a fortune on supplements as it is, I can’t afford to try anything else.

If you haven’t already been to your GP then please do. Apart from the menopause itself there are various other things that can hit at about the same time such as hypothyroidism.

Yes, it happened to me. I resigned my previous job and was out of work for 9 months which was a BIG mistake because my mind atrophied significantly in that time.

I started a new job last year, which, unbeknownst to me, was a very tough challenge and I needed to be on top form mentally for it. But I wasn’t as my memory and ability to understand things was awful.

I ended up at the doctors practically begging for help as my future employability depended on it (that said, I would have managed better in an easier job).

I had blood tests and was put on HRT and thyroid tablets, which have helped but I’m nowhere near where I used to be and don’t think I ever will be. Some days I think I have dementia starting.

Oh, and I think I am doing OK in my job. I’m quite slow but mostly getting it right (and realised that plenty of the younger people are struggling and making mistakes too).

@Toastandmarmite999 This is called 'brain fog'.

It's a direct result of loss of estrogen.

Have you considered HRT? It's safe for at least 5 years using the most modern body-identical sort.

Struggling at work when there can be a solution like HRT - do consider it.

I'm similar. I used to be efficient and have a great memory, now it's shit. I flit from task to task and am so easily distracted. My favourite is finding emails in my drafts that I haven't sent and only realise when I go to chase the person for not replying! I'm contacting my GP to discuss HRT which I've avoided so far.....

As a pp said please see your gp and get bloods checked for others issues. We are so quick to blame everything on the menopause when there could well be something else going on.

To be making serious mistakes isn't the norm for most women.

Obviously consider HRT if medically you're ok but do get a full assessment first to rule anything else out.

I certainly feel that I have to work harder to juggle lots of different responsibilities and that if I am tired or stressed then that becomes twice as hard. What is key is recognising that and making sure I look after myself. In the past I could function on less sleep, skip breakfast and get through the day rushing around on coffee and a doughnut. I now know I need to prioritise my personal wellbeing, eating well, exercising, rest and sleep in order to function properly.

I had to move into self-employment for awhile because I just didn’t feel competent and safe as part of a team. I was literally costing people money
Luckily, nothing lie or death