E118: The Intellectual Domain of Perimenopause

While many women experience “brain fog” during the menopausal transition, research shows that healthy lifestyle habits—including regular exercise, quality sleep, and cardiovascular health—remain among the most effective ways to protect long-term brain function.

In the intellectual domain of perimenopause, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, are joined by neurologist Christine Cliatt Brown, MD, to separate fact from fiction about the aging female brain. They discuss why cognitive changes are common during perimenopause, how brain fog differs from neurocognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, and when memory concerns warrant further evaluation. The conversation also examines what current research tells us about hormones and brain health, the growing influence of misinformation surrounding perimenopause, and the evidence-based strategies women can adopt to support cognitive health throughout midlife and beyond.