Why am I so foggy all of a sudden?

Q:

When I started going through menopause, my brain turned to mush: I’m having trouble focusing and I can’t remember anything! Is this normal?

A:

Yes. Brain fog in menopause is incredibly common: About two-thirds of women report problems. The culprit? Estrogen falloff. Luckily, there are steps you can take to restore your focus. Diet plays a huge role in cognition, so my first recommendation is to load up on brain-healthy foods such as walnuts and fatty fish (their omega-3s are proven to improve brain function) and fresh or frozen berries (they’re loaded with antioxidants that activate enzymes that protect brain health).

Supplements can also help: CoQ10 has been shown to reverse the decline in brain function linked to menopause, and research suggests that a protein called BF-7 boosts cognitive function and improves memory. A product that contains the compound: Natrol Cognium, at drugstores. But if these changes don’t help, I suggest seeing your doctor, who can offer more options. A It sounds like your uterus has become “tilted” or retroverted—a variation that affects at least 20 percent of women. While some women are born with a tilted uterus, it can also occur after childbirth or due to aging, when the ligaments that support the uterus weaken, causing it to tip backward. As a result, tampons may no longer fit the same way, leading to discomfort.

To prevent the pain, consider switching to pads or a menstrual cup or experimenting with different tampons like Playtex

Sport Compact, which are up to 30 percent shorter than typical tampons and may be more comfortable. But no matter the product you choose, make sure it’s free of fragrances, which can irritate vaginal skin. Also smart: doing Kegel exercises, which strengthen pelvic ligaments to ease pain.

Q

I’ve used tampons for years with no problem, but now it hurts to wear them. What’s

going on?