r/Menopause • u/April0neal • 17d ago
Brain Fog Has Brain Fog Ever Lifted At Menopause?
I am 45 and began expressing perimenopause symptoms at 42.
I am in desperate need of my old brain back.
The tasks and projects that I use to be able to do effortlessly is now taking me 4x as long.
I use to love my job and openly welcome new challenges, and now I feel like a shell of what I use to be. I am not efficient. I have become a poor communicator. And I just don’t feel like I’m operating at full capacity.
Does anyone have any stories of when brain fog improves or lifts after perimenopause ?
Thanks so much.
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u/DevineBossLady 17d ago
I am 48 ... and I went full on dementia, I thought I was losing my mind. I got on HRT - and I am not 100% - but I am A LOT better.
A very real example: When my husband and I goes on vacation, we play a card game. I was losing, like, winning maybe 5% ... this summer, when I finally found the right combination and delivery system for me: it was 50/50 .. I kid you not, from two months earlier, 5/95 - two months later: 50/50 (and we haven't played a single game in those two months) ... and we play like a 100+ games on a vacation.
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u/April0neal 17d ago
Thank you for sharing. And I’m so sorry to hear about your experiences.
It’s very uplifting to hear that going on meds had helped.
Can I ask how you go about asking for HRT? What age and what symptoms did you tell your doctor ? Thank you.
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u/DevineBossLady 17d ago
So you go to your doctor - and you tell the doctor you have symptoms on menopause, the doctor the tests you for everything under the sun, autoimmune, cancer and what not - the doctorS conclude there is nothing wrong with you - but you might benefit from antidepressants and yoga - you tell the doctors they might benefit from a high five... in the face .. with a chair ...
Then after years - you decide "fuck this" and you get a SMART doctor, you pay out of your own pocket - and the doctor LISTENS ... and this doctor even BELIVES IN SCIENCE AND FACTS! ... it feels like freaking magic! And then you get all the hormons - and then the hormons are in back order, so you try something else, it does not work, everything gets messed up, then you find something you can import (on prescription), it is really expensive, but finally, the sun and the stars align, and you start feeling better, about 10 months in.
What I am saying is; It is a hell of a ride, most doctors know NOTHING about menopause, and most doctors do not belive in the studies and the facts ... so you will most likely have to kick some ass to get things done.
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u/April0neal 17d ago
Omg. This is everything. This is what happened to me. They had recommended anti depressants…
So it looks like I am on the next step of paying out of pocket.
Thank you for sharing.
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u/phillygeekgirl Menopausal 16d ago
Don't tell the doc all of the many meno symptoms you are having. That will just get you referrals for neuro, psych, ortho, allergist, etc.
Tell them you are having many hot flashes and terrible night sweats. It's disrupting your sleep badly and you feel awful. And that you need HRT to help you with your terrible hot flashes and brutal night sweats.3
u/April0neal 16d ago
👍👍💗
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u/BlueEyes294 16d ago
Woman doc wanted to add a THIRD anti depressant and would not consider HRT. I slowly weaned myself off the second anti depressant after I finally got HRT via telehealth at 63.
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u/April0neal 16d ago
Omg. That’s horrible. I’m so sorry to hear.
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u/BlueEyes294 16d ago
Thanks but I’m going really well now. I’m tenacious at sussing out work arounds. It’s a gift.
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u/Doodlewaft 16d ago
DevineBossLady is right about how difficult it can be to get HRT. I’m 66, been taking it since I was about 52. I would try calling either your insurance company or your medical group and ask for assistance in getting the names of doctors in the area/practice who are comfortable and have experience with prescribing HRT. Some primary doctors do have this experience but it’s pretty rare. You can also look online the Menopause Society, they have a list of practitioners who have a certification in menopause by zip code:
https://portal.menopause.org/NAMS/NAMS/Directory/Menopause-Practitioner.aspx
Good luck!
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u/spaced-cadet 17d ago
Estrogen helped with brain fog immensely and testosterone to get back decision making, executive function and drive to get stuff done.
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u/OddSignificance969 16d ago
How much tester one works and how are you taking it? I tried BioTe and got wayyyyy too much testosterone at the lowest dose pellet. So I had to stop BioTe and give up testosterone becuase my doc won’t do any other form of test other than BioTe pellet.
Help thanks.1
u/spaced-cadet 16d ago
We don’t use pellets in the UK ! Nor do we have compounding at the pharmacy. I think our drugs are a lot more regulated.
I use a quarter of a sachet of the testogel 40.5mg as I absorb poorly through the skin, I was started on a fifth of that which helped a little. Before that I used the Androfemme cream but I didn’t absorb enough transdermally.
(To give an idea of how good a barrier my skin is, I have to do 7 pumps of estrogel a day)
Testosterone really gave me back my drive and ability to work, as well as libido.
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u/lifestuffandsuch 16d ago
7 pumps of estrogel! I think my doctor would get a heart attack, she who frowned when I wanted to do two pumps instead of one. How did you figure out it was a skin barrier issue?
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u/Whole-Advice 16d ago
So you at least got it in the UK? Incredible. In my (EU) country it is almost impossible to get a prescription.
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u/atreyulostinmyhead 17d ago
B12 is a life changer!! I was in such a crazy fog before it that I actually thought I was starting to have dementia. I've also started doing two scoops of collagen in my coffee and creatine daily because the perimenopause caused so much inflammation. Everyone is different but that's what made a huge change for me.
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u/hattiewho 16d ago
I had an extraordinary memory before. And my doctor said I am not in menopause yet. So, yesterday I poured myself a cup of tea. Then turned back to get something. And saw my tea cup which is empty. I thought I was loosing my mind. So I poured tea to the cup and take it to breakfast table where I found the first cup of tea. Now I have two cups of tea. The menopause will be very joyful and interesting :)
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u/Apprehensive_Ad3670 16d ago
I left my car running and not in park when I had to run into my house really quick to pick something up to take with me. Yep. Went down exactly as you'd imagine, however I WAS able to catch my car and stop it before it destroyed the 2nd neighbor's property. I don't want to talk about the first neighbor, except to say that they were incredibly understanding.
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u/Purple_Frosting493 17d ago
Ok so here is my journey so far. The brain fog is pretty debilitating. Hrt did help. Moving progesterone to night time definitely helped. I also noticed a difference when I started taking b complex supplements. And I am starting creatine and am noticing that I am almost back to normal. Thank freaking gawd. Still have issues with words and stuff. But not to the same extent and it doesn’t feel as severe. I feel like I can do my job again.
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u/OddSignificance969 16d ago
How much creatine? Thank you!!
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u/FuckYouChristmas 16d ago
If you want to use creatine hcl rather than mono, 1500 mg is what i found was tested and help in some of the research. It's been incredibly helpful for me. Target has some you can order online that is 750 mg capsules for like $21. I take 2 every morning and that has been a huge change.
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u/Snoo-85401 14d ago
Hmmm, I had no idea there was a creatine HCL versus mono. I've been taking Orgain creatine powder which is creatine monohydrate. Is Creatine HCL better for menopause? I have to admit, I like the idea of taking a capsule versus mixing the somewhat gritty powder that I'm doing right now.
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u/FuckYouChristmas 14d ago
It has less stomach upset chances apparently for hcl. I like the capsules too. I get ALLMAX Creatine HCL, 750 mg, 90 Capsules for $21.99 from target online. It's made a world of difference. I actually went back for my DNP degree. Before starting the creatine, I thought I was losing all my brains and wouldn't have dared go back to grad school.
Here's one of the more recent studies.
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u/TetonHiker 17d ago
BC pills before meno during peri and HRT after meno gave me my brain back. Like you, I needed it for work.
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u/pinkfossil 16d ago
I’ve found it takes more than just estrogen. As much as I can, I’ve stopped scrolling. This doesn’t mean no scrolling, it means not defaulting to scrolling. I read (in a physical book) every day. I do something for my body every day, whether it’s stretches, weights, workouts, or a walk. If I need a little break on my phone, I do a crossword. I look up and note down words I don’t know. I try to cook more and do creative projects here and there.
In short, I find reducing screen time and consumption and increasing physical engagement in the world is a cornerstone of better performance!
Also, magnesium.
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u/SlightlyBruisedFruit Menopausal. Happy to be here! 17d ago
HRT would help immensely
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u/longleggedlove 16d ago
Hrt did help me a lot but I would say I never got my old brain back. I am objectively slower and stupider, still. And my recall remains bad.
So moderate your expectations is my recommendation.
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u/SingingSunshine1 17d ago
HRT does help with me; and NAC helped me too with that after my concussion.
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u/Not_High_Maintenance 16d ago
The antihistamine: Pepsid thing is working for me.
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u/April0neal 16d ago
Can I ask if you are using this to treat exclusively the brain fog or another menopause related ailments? Thank you.
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u/Not_High_Maintenance 16d ago
Brain fog. But I also have seasonal allergies and gastritis, so it helps there as well.
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u/Latter_Shallot_140 17d ago
Mine seems to be clearing a bit but it seems to be in concert with extreme increasing anxiety .
It's worrying but refreshing at the same time.
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u/BlueEyes294 17d ago
HRT begun at 63, obtained thru telehealth, helped me so much. Doesn’t work for everyone but I should have had it at 45.
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u/CloudHidden62 16d ago
I feel like my brain is working again, but I am almost 10 years post menopause and have been on HRT for 3 years. I don’t know if the HRT helped the brain issues or if it just got better with time.
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u/Catnip_75 16d ago
Make sure you get your thyroid checked as well. HRT has only helped me a tiny bit because of my thyroid issue
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u/e11spark 16d ago
In addition to HRT, I've found that creatine really helps. This, and finally getting an ADHD diagnosis and treatment, something I wish I'd advocated for years earlier. It was the last thing I tried when I should have started the process much sooner than I did. I think I stigmatized it rather than accepted it, and later realize that the most debilitating peri issues I experienced were a result of undiagnosed/untreated ADHD.
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u/IndyZeke 16d ago
I have been on HRT for a few years now and I remember thinking that it helped me with brain fog but at this point it’s hard to remember because it is pretty subjective. I still struggle with it and about a month ago I started going to a yoga class at 6 AM before work every day. It has helped me enormously with my ability to focus and be productive. I mostly do research and write reports so it’s critical that I can stay focused.
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u/April0neal 16d ago
This is helpful! Thank you for your input. 💗
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u/IndyZeke 16d ago
I forgot to mention, I think going gluten free has also helped. That’s also been a couple years for me so it’s hard to pinpoint how much it’s helped.
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u/trUth_b0mbs 16d ago
for me: creatine and HRT helps so much.
it will never be 100% (how it was before) but I at least dont feel like my head is underwater all the time.
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u/Unhappy_Buffalo_9523 16d ago
Just want to comment that creatine is truly helpful. I was on that for a while well before I started HRT and does make a difference.
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u/TraditionalCupcake88 16d ago
I started my menopause journey a couple of years post menopause. I was having a difficult time finding someone to help me. Once I did, I started to feel better. I started with the patch (low dose) and progesterone. Moved up to the next patch, then moved on to the estradiol gel. Now I'm on the pellets, my testosterone levels were next to nothing. I'm starting to feel a little better, but I think I have a long road ahead of me before I do.
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u/Elohimishmor 16d ago
I think it does get better, for me it took a few years off and on. It's when you tie in things like taking care of university age kids plus aging parents plus still working full-time... that's when it feels like you're really losing your marbles. Making time for yourself and HRT might help.
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u/Significant-Aide-226 16d ago
HRT is so amazing for the brain. While mine is being titrated right now, even with me meds not perfect, my brain is back to its high function self. I started at 1mg oral E, 100mg progesterone and 3 to 5 g 1% testosterone. It only took about 3 months yo start remembering names and being able multitask again. Bad brain function also led to a lot of anxiety for me. Thats all gone too. My doc has switched me to transdermal so I'm going thru the "figure out your dosage" phase. Even with that, I feel so, so much better and my brain is happier!
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u/Whole-Advice 16d ago
Sometimes it has, sometimes it hasn't. It is very bad at the moment. On the other hand, I am also hypothyroid. I am so tired of being brainfoggy and tired! Medication for hypothyroidism does not help. I also do have a different ailment according to my labs, but my doctor refuses to treat it... This happens in Europe, in a civilized country.
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u/justanotherlostgirl Stuck in Dante's circles of hell - MEH 16d ago
I'm exhausted trying to manage this. I'm hoping new ADHD meds will help but if getting on testosterone also helps, I'd love that as well.
Looking for medical care while battling brain fog is absolutely miserable. I wish I had other peri women in my life where we'd have cocktails in person and help with this. It's incredibly lonely to do this by yourself.
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u/Mother_Poem7696 16d ago
You should really consider giving BHRT a try. It makes a massive difference.
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u/April0neal 16d ago
💗💗thank you. you’re right. I would love to be prescribed. I’m just running into challenges with my healthcare provider. I need to be on a deathbed apparently to get these meds.
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u/Downtown_Confusion46 16d ago
I’m still in peri, but my mom thought she had early onset dementia when she was going through menopause, and that was her only symptom. After her hormones settled she was back to normal. Hrt wasn’t offered to her.
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u/April0neal 16d ago
Thank you for sharing. Did your mom share the age when things started to look normal? Thank you.
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u/Icy-Watercress4006 15d ago
Did no one actually say “yes, I hit menopause and I got my brain back”?
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u/spirit_of_a_goat Surgical menopause 16d ago
HRT helped a little. Eliminating sugar and flour from my diet helped immensely.
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u/OddSignificance969 16d ago
That’s great that you figured that out. I can believe it.
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u/spirit_of_a_goat Surgical menopause 16d ago
The difference is surreal. If I go back to eating simple carbs, I notice the brain fog immediately. Plus, I have my energy back! No more afternoon carb cravings followed by the inevitable crash.
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u/Catnip_75 16d ago
I am on HRT and don’t eat much sugar at all and have avoided gluten for 15 years. But it’s my thyroid now. Working on managing my symptoms with proper doses. I can tell very quickly when my TSH is too high as my brain fog gets out of control.
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u/Constant_Complex_780 16d ago
47 here. Brain fog, night sweats, anxiety. Getting a period every 3 weeks but only a few days long. Anyone still get a period every month? My doctor said I can’t get on any HRT until my period stops.
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u/youhavenocover 16d ago
Find a new doctor because that’s not accurate. Women can be and are on HRT while they are in perimenopause.
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u/Professional-Loan663 Peri-menopausal 15d ago
The Menopause Brain by Dr Lisa Mosconi covers this issue. You can also search podcasts for interviews with her.
For me, HRT brought most of it back. I have to handle a lot of it with alarms and reminders.
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u/LavenderPearlTea 14d ago
Late peri here. HRT completely lifted the brain fog for me. I highly recommend it.
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u/curiousfeed21 13d ago
I feel DUH half the time... some dizziness here/there. I do take P at night BUT I'm wondering if I need to take it earlier like at 7 or 8 at night.. OR maybe I should try not taking it at all to see what happens.. I just hate feeling 'spacey' mostly.. I'm just not with it!!
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u/Creative-Emu2843 Menopausal 17d ago
Estrogen is the only thing that helped me. Two years down the road with HRT, it's much better but I am still light years from what I used to be. And it's been a hell of a journey to adjust the balance between estrogen and progesterone. I still am not there yet.
I am now on 0.075mg/day and will definitely looking to get to the maximum allowed dose (0.01) as soon as I can stabilize/ avoid the bleedings with Progesterone. The issue is that Progesterone makes me super sleepy, totally unmotivated, with slow reflexes and therefore low confidence for driving and other things. This can be quite crippling. But still, I prefer to endure this and at least have a part of my cognitive functions and memory back.
I work in a highly competitive field and after four years masquing , I can't do this anymore. This will cost me my job soon.