As the majority of women admit to suffering brain fog during menopause, isn’t it high time we finally closed in on a solution to this silent saboteur of success?
It will come as no surprise to women navigating the menopause to learn that a new study has revealed that 86% report brain fog as a key symptom.
The study, launched this week by campaign group Menopause Mandate, revealed that brain fog is not only the most commonly reported, but also the most disruptive symptom, for the second year in a row.
The survey is the newest piece of research on the deep and lasting impact menopause is having on women.
Mariella Frostrup, chair of Menopause Mandate, said that over 15,000 women had taken part in the survey and the results offer a sobering picture of menopause in our society today.
The survey data is now being analysed by an expert team at University College London led by Aimee Spector, Professor of Clinical Psychology of Ageing and Director of the UCL Mind Lab.
The hope is that the findings will contribute to vital research that will inform healthcare policy and provide solutions for the most challenging symptoms — especially brain fog, which continues to be a silent workplace saboteur for millions of women.
The survey revealed that 16% of women changed or quit their job as a direct result of the symptom.
Brain fog can manifest in many ways: difficulty concentrating, forgetting words and events, and struggling to complete tasks. Such mental cloudiness can be exhausting and concerning, with many women fearing it may signify more sinister conditions such as dementia.
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‘There is no formal ‘diagnosis’ for brain fog and no evidence-based or recommended treatment options, pointing to an enormous clinical gap,’ says Professor Spector. ‘This is the focus of much of my research at UCL.’
She continued: ‘It manifests individually. I can offer some hope to women in that it appears to resolve after menopause as the brain ‘resets’.
‘However, it is very distressing, and we urgently need to recognise and support it.
‘The volume and breadth of this survey offers a valuable insight into menopause in the UK. Our analysis of the data from the survey will hopefully be another piece in the jigsaw’.
She adds that this is a research field that barely existed a few years ago.
‘We have the odd clinical study from 20 years ago showing that approximately ten per cent of women in perimenopause have clinically significant drops in cognitive tests.
And it’s not only careers that suffer. In fact, 96% of women report that their quality of life was affected by menopause.
Further results revealed the impact of menopause on work and the lifestyle changes that women are making.
Elsewhere at the launch of the study, TV presenter and women’s health advocate Cherry Healey led a panel on lifestyle and advice.
Here, six out of ten women said that they are doing more exercise to ease symptoms, with most walking and just under half lifting weights.
‘When asked which lifestyle changes were the most beneficial, exercise ranked top,’ said Healey. ‘This is great news. A holistic approach to menopause is a subject very close to my heart. We all need to support ourselves.’
A panel led by broadcaster and campaigner Carol Vorderman exposed the reality of menopause and the workplace, with 77% saying that menopause symptoms were impacting their work.
There remain concerning gaps in menopause education. Only 14% of women are finding out about menopause from a healthcare professional compared to 40% from social media.
‘These findings show menopause is not just a women’s health issue — it’s an economic one,’ says Frostrup. ‘Anxiety, brain fog and low mood are driving talented women out of the workplace, often years before they were ready to leave.
‘We urgently need menopause to be recognised as part of the NHS 40+ health check so women can understand the signs earlier, and create workplaces that are better prepared to support them.’
It’s hoped that the findings will speed up research for a solution to the most prevalent symptoms, along with institutional support for women experiencing them.
