If you’re in your 40s or 50s and navigating perimenopause or menopause, you might be quick to chalk it up to “menopause brain fog.” But here’s the thing—this isn’t just a quirky side effect or a sign of getting older. It’s a reflection of very real, very measurable changes happening inside your brain.

Menopause is like that friend who shows up unannounced, bringing along changes you weren't quite ready for—hot flashes, mood swings, sleep challenges, and (surprise!) shifts in your metabolism. If you’ve started noticing your favorite jeans fitting a little snug around the waist or your energy levels feeling less predictable, you're not imagining it.