Ah, Thanksgiving—done and dusted! The turkey coma has worn off, and now you’re gearing up for the next big hurdle: Christmas. The to-do lists, the gift lists, the grocery lists… Did I mention lists? It’s like the Olympics of multitasking. And if you’re in the menopause club, you’re competing with a little something extra—brain fog.

Now, if you’ve ever walked into a room and instantly forgotten why you’re there, only to then walk out and do it all over again—congratulations! You’re not losing your mind; you’re losing your hormones! That foggy feeling in your brain? Yeah, it’s not just the remnants of your Thanksgiving gravy-induced food coma—it’s menopause brain.

Let’s break it down:

List #1: The Gift List

For your kids, your nieces and nephews, your best friend’s cousin’s dog… You’ve checked it twice (or was it three times?) but every time you look at it, something seems off. Did you already buy the wrapping paper? Or was it the gift tags? And where the heck did you put the stocking stuffers you bought back in September?

List #2: The Holiday Meal Plan

Ah, the plan for Christmas dinner, which seemed straightforward until you realize you’ve been staring at the grocery list for 20 minutes, trying to remember what goes into mashed potatoes. Potatoes. Right. (Bonus points if you realize you’ve bought instant mashed potatoes by mistake… again.)

List #3: The Family Schedule

Between planning when everyone’s coming over, who’s staying where, and figuring out how to fit eight adults and three kids into your house without a wrestling match breaking out—oh, and don’t forget your mother-in-law’s gluten-free, dairy-free, joy-free dietary requirements—it’s no wonder your brain feels like it’s running on dial-up.

And let’s not even talk about remembering where you parked your car after braving the mall for those last-minute gifts. Brain fog is no joke, but here’s why it happens:

When your hormone levels, especially estradiol, nosedive, it can mess with your brain’s ability to concentrate and process information. Your prefrontal cortex and hippocampus—aka, your memory and decision-making headquarters—are full of estrogen receptors, which means that as hormone levels plummet, your cognitive function goes on holiday without you. (Wouldn’t that be nice, though?)

The Difference Between Menopause Brain and Dementia

Now, before you start Googling early-onset dementia (been there!), take a deep breath. Forgetting where you parked your car? Menopause brain. Forgetting what a car is? Maybe a sign of dementia. It’s normal for memory to take a bit of a dip, but the panic-inducing forgetfulness most of us experience during menopause usually resolves itself as hormone levels stabilize.

So if you’ve found yourself mixing up your kids’ names with the dog’s or putting the turkey in the oven without turning it on (ahem… personal experience), you’re not alone. Brain fog is the second most common symptom of menopause, and yes, we all know it’s a doozy.

How to Survive the Holiday Brain Fog

• Delegate: You don’t have to be Superwoman. Hand off some of those tasks to your partner or kids. If you’re struggling to remember what “delegate” means, it’s time to write yourself a reminder!
• Make Lists (Again): The more lists, the better. Brain fog loves a good distraction, so write down everything. And I mean everything—from “buy milk” to “don’t forget where you wrote this list.”
• Give Yourself a Break: If you find yourself awake at 3 a.m., wondering if you’ve ordered the same gift twice (and how much you spent on Black Friday impulse buys), it’s okay. Insomnia, another gift of menopause, tends to hang around, leaving us bleary-eyed but somehow fully capable of late-night Amazon purchases. Capitalism thanks you, even if your body doesn’t.

But here’s the key takeaway: if brain fog is hitting you hard and sticking around, it’s time to see your menopause specialist. Don’t suffer in silence—there are solutions out there! It might be time to fine-tune your hormone therapy (HT) or explore other treatment options.

And hey, I’ve got your back—if you’re struggling with menopausal brain fog, or any other menopause symptoms, check out my online menopause course, Fearless Vagina: A Crash Course in Mastering Menopause. It’s designed to give you all the information and tools you need to conquer the fog and navigate menopause like a pro.

Reach out and get the help you need and deserve. Don’t worry—Christmas will come together!

Suffering in silence is OUT! Reaching out is IN!

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*EllenDolgen.com does not recommend, endorse, or make any representation about any tests, studies, practices, procedures, treatments, services, opinions, healthcare providers, physicians, or medical institutions that may be mentioned or referenced. The information, including opinions and recommendations, contained on this website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Such information is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other healthcare provider.