Finding Clarity: Brain Fog During Perimenopause and Why It Doesn't Mean You're "Losing Your Mind"
- annewells5
- Jul 16
- 4 min read
A Personal Note
Hello friends,
This summer, Richard and I have been exploring the beautiful waters of Washington and British Columbia by sailboat with our two adventure-loving cats. So far, our journey has taken us to Point Roberts, Blaine, Bellingham, Port Townsend, Sucia Island, and many other incredible places, with more adventures still ahead before we head home.
One of the unexpected gifts of slowing down has been time to reflect. Whether I'm watching a sunset from the cockpit, hiking a quiet beach, or wandering the waterfronts of small coastal towns, I'm reminded how important it is to pause and pay attention, to nature, to ourselves, and to our health.
This trip has also reminded me how fortunate I am to practice telemedicine throughout Washington State. I've met people from every corner of our state, busy cities, rural farming communities, mountain towns, and small islands, who all share one thing in common: they want access to personalized healthcare without spending hours traveling.
Whether you live in Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, Tacoma, Olympia, Bellingham, Port Townsend, the San Juan Islands, Whidbey Island, Camano Island, Spokane, Yakima, Wenatchee, the Tri-Cities, Walla Walla, Pullman, Vancouver, or anywhere else in Washington, you deserve access to thoughtful, evidence-informed care. One of my favorite things about practicing functional medicine through telehealth in Washington is being able to meet patients wherever they call home.
That brings me to today's topic, one I hear about almost every day.
If I hadn't known how profoundly hormonal changes can affect the brain, I honestly would have thought medical school had broken mine.
There are times when I can't remember familiar words, I lose my train of thought halfway through a sentence, and my concentration isn't what it has always been, but other times there is no problem at all. It is frustrating and, honestly, a little scary. As I learned more about perimenopause, I realized I wasn't alone. Many women experience these same symptoms, yet very few are told that changing hormones can affect the brain just as much as they affect the rest of the body.
Have you ever...
Walked into a room and forgotten why?
Lost your train of thought during a conversation?
Struggled to remember names or common words?
Found it harder to focus or multitask?
Felt like your brain just wasn't as sharp as it used to be?
If so, you're not imagining it.
One of the most common and least talked about symptoms of perimenopause is brain fog.
Many women worry they're developing dementia, but for most, these cognitive changes are related to the hormonal fluctuations that occur during the menopausal transition.
While estrogen gets most of the attention, it isn't the only hormone involved. Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone all play important roles in brain health. Together, they influence memory, concentration, mood, motivation, sleep, and communication between brain cells. As these hormones fluctuate during perimenopause, it's common to notice changes in focus, mental clarity, and verbal recall.
However, hormones aren't always the whole story.
In my practice, I also consider other factors that can contribute to brain fog, including:
Poor sleep or insomnia
Chronic stress
Thyroid dysfunction or Hashimoto's disease
Iron deficiency or low ferritin
Vitamin B12 or other nutrient deficiencies
Blood sugar imbalance or insulin resistance
Digestive health issues that affect nutrient absorption
Inflammation and overall metabolic health
This is one reason I love practicing functional naturopathic medicine. Rather than assuming symptoms are "just part of getting older," we ask why they're happening. Brain fog may have more than one contributing factor, and taking a comprehensive look at your health often provides a clearer path forward.
The good news?
Brain fog isn't necessarily something you simply have to accept.
Many women begin to feel more like themselves once sleep, nutrition, hormones, thyroid health, metabolic health, and other underlying factors are addressed through an individualized treatment plan.
Your brain isn't failing.
It may simply be asking for support.
Did You Know?
Women can lose 3–8% of their muscle mass per decade beginning in their 30s, and that loss often accelerates during perimenopause and after menopause.
Maintaining adequate protein intake, resistance training two to three times per week, and staying physically active are some of the best ways to support muscle, metabolism, bone health, healthy aging, and even cognitive health.
Serving Patients Throughout Washington State
Adaptive Wellness provides telemedicine appointments throughout Washington State, making it easier to access personalized care from the comfort of your home.
Whether you're looking for perimenopause treatment, menopause care, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), thyroid care, Hashimoto's treatment, weight management, digestive health, functional medicine, or healthy aging support, I'm honored to work with patients across Washington.
I see patients by telehealth throughout Washington, including:
Seattle • Bellevue • Everett • Lynnwood • Edmonds • Tacoma • Olympia • Bellingham • Port Townsend • Anacortes • Whidbey Island • Camano Island • Friday Harbor • Orcas Island • Lopez Island • Spokane • Yakima • Wenatchee • Moses Lake • Ellensburg • Pullman • Walla Walla • Vancouver • Richland • Kennewick • Pasco • and communities throughout Eastern Washington.
No matter where you live in Washington, quality healthcare shouldn't depend on your ZIP code.
Thank you for being part of the Adaptive Wellness community.
Whether we've met at a health fair, on social media, through a patient referral, or you're just discovering my practice, I'm grateful you're here.
Until next time,
Dr Anne Wells, ND, founder of Adaptive Wellness
Functional Naturopathic Medicine • Hormone Health • Telemedicine
Throughout Washington State
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