When brain fog isn’t just menopause — and how to advocate for your mind
By Elise
You know your body.
You know your mind.
And sometimes, you know something’s wrong — even when the doctor tells you it’s “just hormones.”
For years, she thought the brain fog, forgetfulness, and mental fatigue were part of the perimenopause package. After all, she was almost 50. She was used to not sleeping, not thinking clearly, and not being heard.
Until it got worse.
Not just forgetting a word.
But forgetting how to start a task.
Losing the thread of a sentence.
Feeling her intelligence — the thing she’d built her life around — slip away.
Eventually, she was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment due to White Matter Disease. Not a vitamin deficiency. Not anxiety. Not “mom brain.” Not menopause.
There’s no miracle treatment. No fix.
But there is clarity, support, and dignity in having a name for what’s happening.
And that’s the first step toward reclaiming control.
🧩 The warning signs she ignored
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Losing track of time constantly
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Struggling with reasoning and basic math
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Reading the same thing 5 times and still not grasping it
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Forgetting entire conversations
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Feeling detached from herself, as if watching life through a haze
At first, she blamed stress. Hormones. Life.
But deep down, she knew.
🧠 Why this matters for all women
Many women assume their cognitive issues are “just part of aging.”
But some brain changes — including MCI and WMD — are not normal. They deserve to be investigated seriously, even if you’re “just” 45.
And because women are so used to being dismissed — especially in midlife — they tend to compensate, overperform, and stay silent. Until they crash.
🛠 What helped her live better
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A neurologist who listened and tested
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Speech therapy to develop memory strategies
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A partner trained to spot cognitive changes
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A quilting hobby that keeps her mind creatively engaged
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Smart routines (like always charging her phone in the same spot)
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Acceptance that her brain is different now — and still valuable
✨ A reminder from Ceceloom
You’re not “overreacting.”
You’re not “crazy.”
And you’re not alone.
If you feel like you’re losing yourself mentally — speak up. Ask questions. Track your symptoms. Seek a second opinion. Your mind matters. And even if the diagnosis hurts, it’s better than being left in the dark.
