Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause

Brain fog refers to the cognitive difficulties that many women experience during menopause, including forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, and mental fatigue. Watts describes her struggles with brain fog, recounting moments when she forgot where she parked her car or missed a flight because she “spaced out” (95). She highlights how these lapses can be unsettling, making women feel disconnected from their former selves. 

Watts contextualizes brain fog as more than just an occasional inconvenience—it can impact confidence, professional performance, and daily functioning. She reinforces that while brain fog is a common symptom of hormonal fluctuations, it is often misunderstood or dismissed. Through expert insights, Watts explains that declining estrogen levels can affect neurotransmitter function, leading to lapses in memory and processing speed. Rather than accepting cognitive decline as an inevitable part of aging, she encourages women to explore solutions such as hormone therapy, brain-supportive nutrition, and mental exercises.

The Grandmother Hypothesis is an evolutionary theory that suggests women evolved to live beyond their reproductive years because they provide valuable care and support to their descendants. Watts references this hypothesis when discussing the broader societal role of menopausal and postmenopausal women, arguing that women’s worth extends far beyond their ability to bear children.