Often under-addressed and extremely important
Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause can trigger or worsen anxiety — feelings of nervousness, tension, or a sense of dread — which may be compounded by sleep disruption and other life stressors.
Shifts in estrogen levels and related neurotransmitters during midlife can increase the risk of depressive symptoms, making mood feel persistently low, flattening emotions, or reducing interest in activities once enjoyed.
"Brain fog" is a common menopause-associated cognitive symptom that includes mental cloudiness, slowed thinking, difficulty concentrating, and forgetfulness, often linked with hormonal changes and disrupted sleep.
Memory lapses — like forgetting names or where something was placed — are frequently reported during perimenopause and early menopause, likely tied to hormonal effects on brain function and attention.
Many women notice increased difficulty staying focused or finishing tasks during menopause, often alongside sleep problems, mood changes, and other cognitive shifts that affect attention.
Hormone fluctuation can make normal stressors feel more intense, lowering resilience to everyday pressures and amplifying emotional reactivity compared with earlier adult years.
While memory and concentration changes happen commonly with menopause, they are usually temporary and not a sign of dementia; true dementia involves progressive decline and functional loss, and menopause itself isn't shown to cause dementia in typical cases.
Cognitive symptoms like brain fog, reduced focus, memory lapses, and compounded fatigue can affect work performance and confidence, making women feel less capable even if overall ability hasn't changed.
Shifts in mood, increased anxiety, depression, and stress sensitivity can strain interactions at home, with friends, or at work, as emotional responses feel more intense or unpredictable than before.
Our evidence-based articles and resources will explore these important topics to support your informed decision-making:
Hormones and mental health connection
Coping strategies
When symptoms are more than "just stress"
Access our evidence-based articles and resources on mental health & cognitive changes to support your informed health decisions.
Browse Articles