Is Brain Fog a Common Menopause Symptom?

People experience menopause differently. Menopause symptoms and their severity can vary significantly from person to person. Some people may be more likely to experience menopause brain fog than others.

For example, a 2023 research review notes that people in perimenopause who experienced the following symptoms were more likely to experience cognitive difficulties:

• depression
• sleep problems
• vasomotor symptoms

A 2024 study also notes that racial background may influence your risk of brain fog in menopause.

Study researchers found that people who identified as Black or Hispanic were at greater risk of brain fog than white or South Asian people. Middle Eastern and Indigenous or First Nations people had the highest risk of brain fog, though their sample sizes were much smaller.

Brain fog may be a common symptom throughout perimenopause. A 2023 study found that perimenopausal females reported brain fog more often than females in premenopause or postmenopause.

Some people may wonder if menopause brain fog can be an early sign of dementia, especially if symptoms last for a long time. A 2021 study observed changes to brain structure during perimenopause similar to effects seen in Alzheimer’s disease. However, these issues were resolved by postmenopause.

There’s some evidence that treatment for vasomotor symptoms, like menopausal hormone therapy, may help reduce brain fog.

Experts also recommend the following options for keeping your brain sharp during menopause:

• Follow a nutritious diet, like the MIND diet.
• Keep your brain active with brain exercises.
• Exercise regularly, aiming for 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week.
• Ensure you’re getting enough sleep.

Talk with a healthcare professional if menopause brain fog is causing significant challenges in your daily life or if cognitive issues persist.