Recently, I met a woman who shared a story that resonated deeply. At 51, she had been grappling with mood swings and brain fog for over a decade. She believed menopause was a milestone that occurred strictly at 50, not realizing that the hormonal shifts of perimenopause had been influencing her well-being for years.
She described the immense effort it took to maintain professionalism—biting her tongue during meetings, stepping out to regain composure, and constantly wearing a brave face to mask her internal turmoil. Her experience isn’t unique; it’s a narrative shared by countless women who silently endure these challenges, attributing them to stress or aging, unaware of the hormonal undercurrents at play.
Decoding the Early Signals
Perimenopause, the transitional phase leading up to menopause, can begin as early as the mid-30s and often goes unrecognized. Symptoms such as mood fluctuations, cognitive fog, sleep disturbances, and anxiety are common yet frequently misattributed.
Dr. Heather Hirsch, head of the Menopause and Midlife Clinic at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, emphasizes, “Brain fog is one of the lesser-known symptoms of menopause, but it’s so common. We’re talking about it more now, but the majority of women don’t associate brain fog with menopause the way they do hot flashes.”
Similarly, Dr. Jen Gunter, a renowned OB/GYN, notes, “So many of the symptoms of menopause—from hot flashes to mood swings and painful intercourse—have become the center of jokes. Therefore, women may be afraid to bring them up, even though they could indicate a larger health concern or significantly alter her quality of life.”
The Science Behind the Symptoms
Estrogen is pivotal in regulating mood, cognition, and overall brain function. As estrogen levels fluctuate during perimenopause, many women experience challenges with memory, concentration, and emotional regulation.
Research from the Mayo Clinic confirms that brain fog during menopause is real and can manifest as problems with memory, concentration, and focus. Dr. Juliana Kling states, “When I tell women that in clinic, they’re like, ‘Oh, thank goodness, I’m not getting dementia, right?’ I think a lot of us go there, that it reflects something bad.”
Moreover, a study published in the journal Menopause found that severe depression and greater sexual dysfunction stood out as the only symptoms significantly linked with cognitive performance during menopause.
My Personal Journey
I wish I could say I recognized the signs immediately, but I didn’t. I just felt… off. Foggy. Edgy. Like I was walking around in someone else’s body. One moment I’d feel overwhelmed with emotion, and the next I’d snap at someone—usually someone I love—for no real reason. I was holding it together on the outside, but I felt like I was unraveling inside.
Then one morning, my husband grabbed me gently by the shoulders, looked me straight in the eyes, and said,
“Denise, something is going on with you that we’ve got to figure out. You’re driving me crazy.”
That moment hit me hard. Not because he was wrong, but because he was right. Something was going on, and it was bigger than stress or a bad week. It was the first time I realized I couldn’t just push through or pretend everything was fine.
I started doing the research and connected the dots. The mood swings, the mental fog, the exhaustion—it wasn’t just life, and it definitely wasn’t weakness. It was my hormones shifting. I was deep into perimenopause, and like so many women, I had no idea.
Once I understood what was really happening, everything changed. I stopped blaming myself and started supporting myself—with nourishing food, daily movement, a mindset reset, and compassion for my body instead of criticism.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “That sounds like me…”—please don’t wait.
👉 Take the Menopause Quiz Now
It’s free, quick, and might be the moment that helps you stop the struggle and start feeling like you again.
Embracing Awareness and Action
Recognizing that these symptoms are hormonally driven is the first step toward reclaiming control. By understanding and acknowledging the physiological changes occurring, women can seek appropriate support and interventions.
Dr. Christiane Northrup, a leading authority in women’s health, advocates for viewing menopause as a time of personal empowerment. In her book The Wisdom of Menopause, she states, “Women can make menopause a time of personal empowerment—emerging wiser, healthier, and stronger in both mind and body than ever before.”
Take the First Step
If you’ve been experiencing unexplained mood swings, cognitive challenges, or emotional fluctuations, it’s essential to consider the role of hormonal changes. To assist you in this journey, I invite you to take my menopause quiz. This tool is designed to help you identify symptoms and provide insights into your current phase of the menopausal transition.
Empower yourself with knowledge and take proactive steps toward a balanced and fulfilling life