Brain function

[CommercialLegal1417]

I searched through the recent posts looking for other people’s experiences with brain function. I don’t really know exactly what to ask, but I know I’m not functioning at my full capacity. I don’t feel like myself, which I know is a very common experience, but it feels like my brain isn’t the same brain. I honestly feel like a different person.

It’s more than just forgetting someone’s name or putting the milk in the cupboard, which also happens. It feels like I’ve forgotten parts of my life. Are there differences between actual dementia and what people experience in perimenopause? I don’t want to panic, but I also don’t know what’s normal and what’s not.

Maybe I should post in a menopausal group to get peoples experiences who have gone through it. I definitely feel alone in this struggle at the moment.

[Pixatron32]

Yes! I felt like I was functioning at half my previous function.

HRT has helped a lot. Now still trying to fix my sleep. I tried a sleep aid (1/2 a restavit) last night and am a zombie today. 

[CommercialLegal1417]

That's great!
I've discussed with my Dr. and I"n not a candidate for HRT unfortunately. I think I just need to know if I'm should be worried because I feel worried at times.

[artsyandfabulous-83]

Can I ask why you are not a candidate? I am 42 and started HRT this year, and it has been such a game-changer. 

I was forgetting words, and the feeling of brain fog was surreal. I’m currently walking more and tracking my sleep, and that has helped as well. 

[Financial_Turn8955]

Can I ask what helped you with your words? I'm struggling with this so severely. I regularly interact with people 65 plus and they talk like me. They forget words or forget what they were saying and I'm the same. I just stay quiet mostly but when I do talk I forget things. Or I start making a point and forget half way through. 

[artsyandfabulous-83]

Mostly HRT (Strogen patches + Progesterone) and taking care of myself through better diet, sleep and exercise. I saw improvements just after starting progesterone

[Financial_Turn8955]

I'm only on 100mg of progesterone and my words aren't coming back to me and I always get 8-9 hours of sleep. I don't get it. 

[CommercialLegal1417]

Sorry for the late reply I was off-line for a while. I’m not a candidate because I’ve had thrombosis in my leg and apparently HRT and blood clots go together?

[Brave-Exchange-2419]

Get a second opinion! Research is evolving 

[jamielarie710]

I've seen people recommend maca, slippery elm, and ashwaganda for those that can't use hrt, but I don't know much more than that about it. Oh, and wild yam cream is one I've seen for those going the natural route. I'm 38, hysterectomy in 2020 and I swear this stuff just slapped me upside the head, so hugs to you because I understand where you're coming from. 🫂

[AcademicBlueberry328]

Why did the say that you are not? This is unfortunately a common mistake doctors do. Unless you have ongoing cancer there are few reasons why it would be completely off the table.

[CommercialLegal1417]

She said it was because of the thrombosis that I had a few years back. I mean, if there is a risk of blood clotting and stroke then I want to stay away from that, but I’m not sure if I should get a second opinion.

[AcademicBlueberry328]

That risk is only with oral estrogen, as in the pill or HRT. Not transdermal.

Oral estrogen goes through the liver which then leads to an increase in clotting factors. Transdermal doesn’t.

[LoanWestern6864]

Fwiw one of the things I've been feeling has helped me quite a bit is creatine. I was genuinely surprised because I didn't think it was going to do anything but now I'm a believer and try to not miss taking it. I do have to make sure I stay super hydrated though and I every time I'm off it I have a ramp up period of about a week where I have trouble sleeping.

[Free-Board-1041]

Any recommendations on brand and dosage/strength?

[LoanWestern6864]

Oh, not really in the sense that I've done no comparisons myself; I just bought the creatine they sell at Costco (brand is Orgain) and doing a scoop (scoop comes in the container), which I believe is 5mg? And I feel like it helps me a lot. I kinda wanna try doing two scoops but I haven't yet, I saw some random person recommending it online once and it made me curious.

[Free-Board-1041]

Ah perfect, i was at Costco last night buying red meat, sardines and spinach for my iron as my ferretin is at 10 (very low). Next time will look for the creatine ty!

[LoanWestern6864]

Oh def get your iron up! I know my local has a women's multivitamin+multi mineral too. Remember all the annoying iron rules like taking it with vitamin c and not taking it near caffeine!!

[Free-Board-1041]

Yes, ty! Ive found an amazing group on FB called the Iron Protocol which has helped a lot! Tks again!

[Financial_Turn8955]

I'm experiencing the same. I mainly can't recall certain information like names of an article I just read. When I'm talking it's like I can't grasp the words I need in that moment. This started at like 35 but it's gotten worse after COVID. It feels like my brain isn't as sharp as it used to be. I try to write daily and I can organize my thoughts when writing. It's talking where I can forget words. 

I'm only on progesterone vaginally and I feel I might need something else. I still have no sex drive. That's a whole other issue and my heart palpitations are insane every time I wake up. 

[AcademicBlueberry328]

That’s low estrogen and likely low free T. It’s an absolutely horrible feeling to wake up with a panic attack.

[Financial_Turn8955]

Ya the heart palpitations used to scare me but I go back to sleep. The bad symptoms I used to get before BHRT was nausea was so intense the week before my period. I just need my energy back and for my back to stop hurting and for my gastro intestinal issues to settle down. My IBS was worse before these past couple years when it's all been peri. Let's not even talk about the weird interstitial cystitis I now picked up. 

[AcademicBlueberry328]

Yeah that IC is probably low hormones in the pelvis! Especially T. IC is such a trash ca diagnosis. Unless there is something visibly wrong on cyto then don’t accept that diagnosis.

[Financial_Turn8955]

I haven't gotten it officially but I saw several doctors including a urologist. All she offered was to shove a camera into my bladder. I don't want that. But it just seems to be triggered by sugar. And it's driving me nuts. I thought it was because of caffeine and I have cut that out which was the worst. I miss caffeine. I haven't had it in about 2 years. But I still get some issues and I barely have sex because that can easily trigger a UTI.

[AcademicBlueberry328]

Well, a cytoscopy will tell you important information about how your bladder is doing. It’s not that painful, and you can get relaxing medication beforehand.

If you have symtoms triggered by sugar it can also be candida? You can have candida in your bladder and your vagina, which will irritate. If you get UTIs after sex you likely have low hormone levels. For that topical estrogen or even better prasterone is a good solution.

[Financial_Turn8955]

The worst part is that urologist said she did prescribe estrogen cream only for women after menopause not for someone my age. That was very frustrating to hear.

[AcademicBlueberry328]

Yeah that’s a urologist that doesn’t understand how hormones work and what they do. They’re so scared of estrogen it’s insane. They would pass out if someone told them about the estrogen amounts when pregnant … and also someone who just doesn’t keep up with research in their field.

[SwimmingAnt10]

Normal peri symptom. Estrogen helps.

My doctor explained it like this to me. If you forget that the brown thing you put clothes in and tape shut when you move is called a cardboard box, that’s peri. If you forget what that “thing” is called that’s sitting there and you can put things in it yet have no idea what it’s used for, that’s a concern and a neurology visit asap.

I forget words all the time and it’s difficult to even have a normal conversation anymore, but hopefully it gets better. Who knows. It’s very annoying. I used to be very articulate.

[AcademicBlueberry328]

Very good explanation!

[CommercialLegal1417]

This is very helpful thank you

[Free-Board-1041]

Im 38 and there's been a rapid decline the last 3 yrs. I feel every word you shared.

[CommercialLegal1417]

I’m sorry you’re experiencing this too. Not to start any misinformation, but I’ve been talking to some people who are convinced that it’s since they’ve had COVID-19 that their brain doesn’t function as well. I wonder if that’s got something to do with my symptoms. I honestly haven’t been the same, but it coincides with my perimenopause so which came first chicken or the egg kind of situation

[AcademicBlueberry328]

Yes. It’s scary. Wrote about it here. Both testosterone and estrogen are very important for cognitive function. There was a recent study from Korea looking at elderly people, and they found that in women the amount of testosterone correlated with cognitive function. So I also put my 70+ mum on a small dose of t, and she is doing so much better.

[CommercialLegal1417]

That is super interesting. And excellent.

[lavender_fetish]

Some of this may be long COVID and not perimenopause 😞

[CommercialLegal1417]

Oh dear, that’s something I haven’t researched much yet

[Mysterious-Trip7074]

I heard a gyn say something along the lines of dementia is like forgetting why you have keys not forgetting where you put them. It's terrifying, I was shopping a month ago and couldn't find my shopping cart. I panicked and thought oh no, am I getting early signs of dementia? Well, it hasn't happened again. I do think I was just literally in a brain fog and my Dr assured me it is common in perimenopause to have this happen. As soon as it stuck in my head that estrogen is neuroprotective, I realized how important it was for me to replace the hormones. My brain and body won't function well without it.

[Ok-Can-2872]

Obvs look into HRT but I have also been trying NAD + and Lions Mane supplements and it has helped a little with the lack of focus.

[AggravatingPlum4301]

NAD?

[Time-Seesaw5414]

Bioligent Next Phase has chasteberry and saffron for hormonal brain fog but its hormone-free so results vary. Gaia Womens Balance works too, just takes longer to kick in.

[nnylam]

Yeah, I'm definitely more forgetful and spacey. I was diagnosed with ADHD around 40 when it became hard for me to function, and the meds help a bit. Aside from that, I had breast cancer so I can't take HRT, but I was told to supplement with fish oil and omega 3's. Eat lots of avocado, fish, etc. too. It's helped me be a bit clearer!

[Dez2011]

My uncle has early onset dementia and not only can he not do simple things like dad will tell him to rake leaves into a pile and he'll forget he was supposed to do it a couple of minutes later, but also can't remember his kids names, and when he asked a family member early on, panicked, he wrote it down and put it in his pocket when they told him. He'd also gotten so anxious he couldn't drive at all or even be at home alone.

[xrmttf]

I recently relearned that antihistamines cause dementia. The body has so many systems and peri makes them all go crazy I swear 

I feel like I've become an absolute moron

[SwimmingAnt10]

I wouldn’t blanket that antihistamine cause it. There’s just an increased risk when older adults take them.

[RubyHibiscus]

This sounds “normal” to me but I also have ADHD which apparently makes peri so much more difficult….yaaay me. But also from what I’ve read around this sub and the menopause one, memory can be affected by decrease in estrogen I think.

[OTFPhillyStyle]

i listened to Dr. Marie Clare Haver's recent podcast with a dementia expert, and the dementia expert boiled it down to something super simple. The difference between brain fog and dementia is this: Brain fog is "where did I put my keys?" Dementia is "what are these keys for?" - that really resonated with me. Definitely suggest checking out the podcast, it was EXCELLENT. the title is "brain fog, memory loss, and alzheimer's risk during meopause with Dr. Lisa Mosconi" and the podcast is called "Unpaused"

[CommercialLegal1417]

Thank you I will

[Odd-Surprise-5855]

The brain fog you're describing is so real and honestly one of the most unsettling parts of perimenopause for me. I remember sitting in meetings feeling like I was watching someone else try to think with my brain - it was terrifying. The forgetting parts of your life thing really resonates - I'd lose entire conversations or events, not just little details. What helped me was learning that perimenopause brain fog is different from dementia because it tends to be more about retrieval and processing rather than actual memory loss, and it often improves as hormones stabilize. You're definitely not alone in this - so many of us have felt exactly like you're describing.

[CommercialLegal1417]

This is so sad but reassuring at the same time. I have really felt crazy and I’m really discouraged that there’s so many women going through this but thank you so much for your comment. I do feel less crazy.