Forgetting why you opened the app. Losing your train of thought mid-sentence. Enter the room and draw a blank. For many women, these are not random lapses, but rather perimenopausal brain fog, a surprisingly common symptom that affects 44-62% of women during the menopausal transition.
“I didn’t change, but the way my mind worked suddenly changed,” says Aastha Pandey, a 40-year-old businesswoman from Mumbai.
The reason is fluctuations in estrogen, which affects brain chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine that regulate memory, concentration and mood. Add to that lack of sleep, stress, and fatigue, and mental clarity can start to feel frustratingly out of reach.
“Brain fog during perimenopause is largely driven by hormonal fluctuations… Estrogen plays a crucial role in supporting neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine… When these levels become unstable, women may notice forgetfulness, mental fatigue and difficulty concentrating,” explains Dr. Shobha Gupta, medical director and gynecologist at Mother’s Lap IVF Center in New Delhi.
Doctors say these lapses are usually temporary, but should not be ignored. Persistent memory problems, confusion, or difficulty performing familiar tasks require evaluation because thyroid disorders, vitamin deficiencies, depression, and neurological conditions can mimic brain fog.
“Red flags include persistent memory loss that interferes with daily functioning,” says Dr. Gupta. “Proper evaluation helps differentiate between typical hormonal changes and something that needs more medical attention.”
