Ep 13 | Your Brain on Peri: Cognition

Mar 27, 2025

39:54

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Ever walked into a room and immediately forgotten why you're there? Or found yourself staring at a to-do list like it's written in an ancient language? You're not alone.

In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Amy Voedisch and Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su tackle the maddening phenomenon of brain fog during perimenopause. Spoiler alert: It's not just you, and no, you're (probably) not losing your mind—just your estrogen.

In this enlightening and comforting conversation, the Docs explain down how hormonal fluctuations can scramble memory, multitasking skills, and general cognitive function. They also discuss the fine line between brain fog, ADHD, and the (sometimes overblown) fear of early dementia. The good news? Research—including the SWAN study—suggests that cognitive function typically rebounds after menopause, meaning there's light at the end of this very foggy tunnel.

You might already be knee-deep in perimenopausal forgetfulness or just bracing for impact, but you'll find this episode to be packed with science, strategies, and a reassuring dose of humor (because Dr. Voedisch is right there with us!). Don't forget to share this episode with a friend, sister, colleague, or the woman in front of you at the grocery store who did NOT find everything she was looking for today.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[0:27] Understanding cognition (brain fog) during perimenopause

[1:08] The impact of brain fog

[4:56] ADHD and cognitive changes

[8:03] Hormone changes and brain function

[15:38] Estrogen's role in the brain

[20:37] Symptoms are interrelated

[23:29] Hormone therapy for cognitive function

[28:20] Dementia, hormones, and the brain

[35:09] Strategies for optimizing brain health

Resources:

lisamosconi.com