In brief
In brief
Sleep problems, mood changes and difficulty with memory or concentration can occur around this stage, but they can also have other causes. Describe what is happening in concrete terms and how it affects function. You are giving useful clinical context, not sitting an exam.
- Sleep: trouble falling asleep, repeated waking, waking too early, night sweats, snoring or feeling unrefreshed.
- Mood: low, anxious, irritable, tearful, numb or unlike yourself; say how often and how intense it feels.
- Brain fog: losing words, forgetting appointments, rereading work, losing your train of thought or struggling to plan.
- Timing: when it started, whether it changes with periods, and whether symptoms arrive together.
- Impact: mistakes, avoiding people, unsafe driving, reduced work capacity, conflict or difficulty managing ordinary tasks.
Sources
Where this guidance comes from
GlowUp checked this article against the sources below on 25 August 2026. This is source-checked editorial information, not a claim of independent medical review.
- Symptoms of menopause and perimenopause NHS · updated 19 May 2026 · accessed 25 August 2026
- Sleep problems NHS Every Mind Matters · accessed 25 August 2026
- Menopause: identification and management (NG23) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence · updated 15 April 2026 · accessed 25 August 2026
- Where to get urgent help for mental health NHS · accessed 25 August 2026