Perimenopause and menopause are famous for hot flashes and missing periods—but the emotional and cognitive changes are often even more disruptive.
If you’ve felt anxious, irritable, forgetful, or like you’re just not yourself, you’re not alone—and it’s not “just stress.” It could be your hormones.
Hormones and Your Brain
Estrogen doesn’t just affect your ovaries—it has receptors all over your brain, especially in areas that regulate mood, memory, and emotion. As estrogen fluctuates or drops, it can wreak havoc on:
- Mood stability
- Focus and concentration
- Verbal recall
- Stress tolerance
- Sleep quality (which then affects everything else)
What Does This Look Like?
- You can’t remember words mid-sentence
- Your to-do list feels insurmountable
- You burst into tears or rage seemingly out of nowhere
- You’re more anxious than you’ve ever been, without a clear reason
These aren’t signs of mental illness or aging. They’re signs that your neurotransmitters are reacting to shifting hormone levels.
You’re Not Lazy or Losing It
This is what many women describe as “feeling like they’re falling apart”—and sadly, many are dismissed or misdiagnosed. Instead of being offered hormonal support, they’re prescribed antidepressants, told to meditate more, or left to figure it out alone.
You deserve better.
What Can Help?
- Hormone therapy (yes, it can help brain function!)
- Sleep support—melatonin, sleep hygiene, CBT-I
- Cognitive tools—apps, checklists, and routines
- Professional guidance from someone who understands hormonal mental health
- Self-compassion—because the pressure to “do it all” never stopped, even when your brain demanded a break
The Bottom Line
Mood changes, anxiety, and brain fog in midlife aren’t signs you’re weak or broken. They’re signs your brain needs support—and the good news is, that support exists.
You’re not losing your mind. You’re navigating a hormonal transition—and you don’t have to do it alone.
👉 If your brain feels scrambled and your mood’s all over the place, it’s not just life—it might be your hormones. You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Need support or want to learn more about treatment options? Schedule a free 15-minute call to see how we can work together.
Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan is a family physician, board certified by the American Board of Family Physicians and a menopause specialist, certified by the North American Menopause Society, dedicated to empowering women through their midlife health journeys. She is the founder of Portland Menopause Doc, co-founder of the Portland Menopause Collective, podcaster on The Dusty Muffins, and an expert speaker, frequent podcast guest and active contributor to midlife women’s health research.
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