The Documentary Podcast Brain fog and perimenopause
4 snips
Nov 29, 2025 Guest
Katie (author of Midlife Matters) / Karen
Guest
Carol King
Guest
Chantaquillette Carter
Guest
Zoe Kleinman
Zoe Kleinman, BBC Tech Editor, shares her candid experience with brain fog during perimenopause, revealing the embarrassment she felt while live on air. Comedian Chantaquillette Carter discusses how her stroke recovery complicated her symptoms, calling it a 'double whammy.' Carol King, the 'menopause auntie,' highlights the struggles of prolonged symptoms and misdiagnosis. Katie, a menopause coach, emphasizes the urgent need for workplace policies and education about menopause to support women effectively.
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Live TV Freeze And Holding Notes
- Zoe Kleinman describes freezing on live TV and holding a note because she couldn't recall a technical phrase under pressure.
- Her social post afterwards drew hundreds of messages and normalised brain fog for many women.
Stroke Recovery Masked By Perimenopause
- Chantaquillette Carter experienced severe brain fog after a stroke and feared early dementia before learning it was also perimenopause.
- She stresses hormonal shifts and neurological trauma can combine to amplify symptoms.
Fainting And Long Diagnostic Journey
- Carol King recounts fainting from sudden drops in blood pressure and being out of work for six months.
- She faced years of tests before recognising long-term perimenopause symptoms like brain fog and hair loss.