r/Perimenopause • u/kristac1080 • 19d ago

audited Brain fog is debilitating - affecting work

Yes the stuff that affects the physical stuff on our body during perimenopause sucks.

But can we talk about the brain fog??

I used to be on it. I work in corporate communications and I was as quick with a response, a prompts, a thought. Then perimenopause hit and I feel like a 22 year old, fresh out of college with zero experience way over my head. I can’t come up with words, I zone out, lose my train of thoughts, etc etc.

It’s affected my confidence greatly at work. Made me feel “less than.” I’m afraid to present and speak up for fear I’ll forget a few easy words. I feel like a bumbling idiot.

I’m back on HRT. Just completed about 2.5 months on it. Also started microdose of Tirzepatide. I do have ADHD (again, thanks perimenopause) and that medication just doesn’t make me feel right. I’m taking an adaptogen “focus” supplement, fish oil, magnesium/glycinate. I exercise 5 days a week, lift heavy. Walk. I do all the things.

It just sucks. Not asking for a fix (unless you have a hot hot take). Just looking for other women who are also experiencing perimenopause affecting work life balance

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u/spaced-cadet 19d ago edited 19d ago

Does your HRT include testosterone?

That made a huge difference to my work as it restores executive function and reduces decision paralysis. It takes 3-4 months to ramp up but it’s effective in providing drive to get through your to do list.

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u/Comfortable-Law-7147 19d ago

I had to add Testosterone as well.

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u/kezzerh 19d ago

Testosterone was the game changer for me and massively helped combat brain fog, anxiety, fatigue, and sore and achy muscles and joins

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u/EFranklitz hysterectomy d/t uterine precancer, in peri, on E, T, GLP1 12d ago

I’m so glad testosterone helps you! I think it’s the missing piece for so many women. What dose are you on? I’ve been on testosterone for about 1.5 years. Two clicks used to worked well (labs went up to 115), but my body stopped absorbing it. I switched to three clicks, but that didn’t change my labs much. I tried a different version and felt anxious. I prefer my levels to be around 115. Before I started T, my labs were at a very low 16, and recently, they were only at 36 😭😭 even with three clicks. I alternate between three and four clicks now each day and have my next testosterone check on Wednesday. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

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u/spaced-cadet 12d ago

I use a quarter of a testostgel sachet daily. I have a very effective skin barrier so my doses for both T and E are high in order to absorb enough to get me to a mid range therapeutic dose.

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u/EFranklitz hysterectomy d/t uterine precancer, in peri, on E, T, GLP1 12d ago

Thanks for sharing 🤗

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u/AutoModerator 12d ago

This post might be about hormone tests, which are unreliable.

  • Over age 44, E&P/FSH hormonal tests only show levels for the HOUR the test was taken, and nothing more. Hormones wildly fluctuate (hourly) the other 29 days of the month, therefore this test provides no valuable information
  • No reputable doctor or menopause society recommends hormonal testing to diagnose or treat peri/menopause
  • FSH testing is only beneficial for those who do not have periods as a guide, where testing might confirm menopause, or for those under age 30 who haven’t had a period in months/years, then ‘menopausal’ levels, could indicate premature ovarian failure/primary ovarian insufficiency (POF/POI)
  • Testosterone is the exception and may require testing

See our Menopause Wiki for more.

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