Dementia Doctor Recounts Shock of Perimenopausal Brain Fog

A dementia doctor experienced a frightening episode of word-finding difficulties and confusion at age 46, a phenomenon she attributes to perimenopause. Dr. Aimee Spector, Professor of Clinical Psychology of Ageing and Director of the International Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) Centre at University College London, described the experience as "nightmarish."

Spector was in a meeting with the World Health Organization, assisting with their guidelines on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and dementia, when the cognitive symptoms manifested. She noted that approximately one in ten women experience brain fog, with others reporting depression as a related symptom.

Spector advocates for specific strategies to manage perimenopausal brain fog, suggesting that these approaches can be adopted by others experiencing similar cognitive challenges.