You walk into a room and forget what you came for.
You search for a very simple word.
You reread the same sentence several times.
You start one thing and forget what you were doing.
And you wonder:
“What is happening to me?”
Difficulty concentrating, some forgetfulness and the feeling of having a less clear head are sometimes described as brain fog.
They can be reported during perimenopause and menopause.
What does brain fog feel like?
It can be described in several ways:
- difficulty concentrating;
- a feeling that your mind is less clear;
- forgetfulness;
- difficulty finding certain words;
- losing the thread of a conversation or a task;
- greater difficulty handling several things at once.
Each person can experience this period differently.
Is it really menopause?
Not necessarily.
Concentration or memory problems can have many causes.
Sleep, stress, certain medications, various medical conditions and many other factors can also play a role.
RAPELIA does not try to determine why you have a symptom.
It helps you answer a different question:
“How is this symptom evolving for me?”
Sleep can also be part of the equation
Imagine:
You have several night sweats.
You sleep poorly.
You are tired the next day.
You have more trouble concentrating.
Then a few days later, you try to remember all of that.
It is hard.
That is exactly why tracking several symptoms together can be more useful than looking at each symptom in isolation.
What can be helpful to track
Over time, you might want to observe:
- how often your brain fog occurs;
- its intensity;
- the days when your concentration is better or worse;
- your sleep;
- your hot flashes or night sweats;
- your mood changes;
- important changes in your routine;
- your treatments or other relevant changes.
The goal is not to monitor every detail of your day.
The goal is to be able to look back and understand what has actually changed.
Your memory should not have to retain everything
When it is time to describe several weeks of symptoms to a healthcare professional, it can be hard to remember:
“When exactly did it start?”
“Is it worse than before?”
“Does it happen every week?”
“Did my sleep get worse before or after?”
RAPELIA keeps that history with you.
You can then look at your evolution instead of trying to reconstruct it from memory.
RAPELIA turns your observations into perspective
No mandatory long notes.
No need to become a menopause expert.
You observe.
You note.
You see what changes.
Less tracking. More understanding.
Frequently asked questions
Is brain fog common during perimenopause?
Memory and concentration problems are reported by some people during the menopausal transition. The Menopause Society notes that these cognitive changes are generally mild.
Why do I have trouble finding my words?
Difficulty finding certain words can be part of what some people describe as brain fog. It can also have other causes.
Can lack of sleep affect my concentration?
Yes. Disrupted sleep can contribute to fatigue and difficulty concentrating.
When should I talk to a healthcare professional?
When changes concern you, are significant, persist or affect your daily life, it is appropriate to discuss them with a healthcare professional to look into the cause.
Important disclaimer
RAPELIA is intended for tracking and information. It does not diagnose any medical condition and does not replace a consultation with a healthcare professional.