Mind

Is it normal to forget words and lose focus after 40?

Alison
By Alison2 min read

Short answer: Yes, it’s very common. Changing oestrogen before menopause affects memory and focus, and for most women it gets better after menopause. See a doctor if your memory is getting worse quickly or you get lost in places you know well.

You’re mid-sentence and the word just goes. You walk into the kitchen and stand there, wondering what you came in for. You read the same email three times. It’s scary, and a lot of women quietly worry it’s something serious. For most women in their 40s, it’s brain fog, and it’s very common.

Why does brain fog happen after 40?

Oestrogen helps your brain with memory and focus. As it goes up and down before menopause, many women find they’re slower to find words and easier to distract. Bad sleep and stress add to it.

Does brain fog go away?

For most women, yes. A large US study called SWAN followed thousands of women through menopause. It found that learning and memory often dip a little in the years before menopause, then pick up again afterwards. So for most women it’s a phase that passes.

What helps my memory and focus?

  • Protect your sleep. It’s when your brain sorts and stores what happened that day.
  • Write things down. Lists, phone reminders, a notebook by the door. It’s not cheating.
  • Do one thing at a time. Juggling five tasks is where the fog shows up most.
  • Move every day. A brisk walk gets more blood to your brain.
  • Eat oily fish and nuts, and go easy on alcohol.

When should I worry about my memory?

Talk to your doctor if your memory is getting worse quickly, if you get lost in places you know well, or if the people close to you are worried. Things like low iron or an underactive thyroid can cause brain fog too, and they’re easy to test for.

Add it to my free symptom checklist so you can show your doctor exactly what has been happening.

Sources

Keep reading

More from Alison

01 · Body & weight

Why is my belly getting bigger after 40?

If your belly is getting bigger after 40 even though you’re eating the same food, you’re not imagining it, and you’re not lazy. Loads of women notice this in their 40s. Here’s what’s usually going on, in plain words.

02 · Sleep

Why do I wake up at 3am after 40?

Falling asleep is fine. Then 3am hits and you’re wide awake, staring at the ceiling and running through tomorrow’s to-do list. If that’s you, you’re far from alone. Sleep often changes for women in their 40s, and there are real reasons behind it.

04 · Energy

Why am I so tired all the time after 40?

You sleep, you wake up, and you’re already tired. By 3pm you could lie down on the office floor. If that sounds like you, you’re not lazy and you’re not imagining it. Feeling tired all the time is one of the most common things women notice in their 40s, and there’s usually a reason you can work on.

05 · Mood

Why do I feel so anxious and irritable after 40?

You snap at your kids over nothing. You lie awake worrying about things that never used to bother you. Then you feel guilty for snapping, and the guilt makes it worse. If this is new for you in your 40s, your hormones may be part of the story.