Menopause, mental health and brain fog explained | Dr Shahzadi Harper | EP 104

Have you ever stood up to speak and had your mind go completely blank? Brain fog is one of the most common, and most misunderstood, symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, and it can chip away at your confidence more than almost any other symptom.

In this episode, pulled from the archives because it's one of our best loved sessions, recorded five years ago but just as relevant today, Deborah Garlick is joined by Dr Shahzadi Harper to talk about menopause, mental health and brain fog.

Together, we explore:

• (00:00:47) Deborah's own brain fog story, the moment her mind went completely blank in front of a packed auditorium
• (00:03:41) What brain fog actually is, and why oestrogen has been described as the Wi-Fi of the brain
• (00:05:21) Perimenopause explained, the mysterious phase that starts years before periods stop, with no notification
• (00:07:31) The lifestyle changes that help, exercise, hydration, stress management and supplements
• (00:12:33) Does HRT help with brain fog, and the other conditions worth ruling out first
• (00:15:43) Why brain fog doesn't mean permanent decline, and the reassurance that memory does improve
• (00:17:54) Deborah's Tom Hardy story, and why owning your brain fog moments in the moment matters
• (00:21:06) When to worry, spotting the difference between normal brain fog and something more serious
• (00:24:15) Audience questions on exercise, CBT and practical everyday coping tools

Dr Shahzadi Harper explains what is actually happening in the brain during perimenopause and menopause, why psychological symptoms often show up before the physical ones, and what genuinely helps, from lifestyle changes to HRT to simply talking about it more openly. Deborah shares her own experience with characteristic honesty, proof that even when you know exactly what's happening, brain fog can still catch you off guard.

Whether you're navigating brain fog yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode is a reminder that you're not alone, and that it's worth talking about.

Find out more about Dr Shahzadi Harper's work in perimenopause, menopause and midlife health at The Harper Clinic, or follow her at @theharperclinic and @drshahzadiharper on Instagram.