Start with an experience
“Brain fog” can mean different things to different people. NHS guidance includes memory and concentration changes among experiences that can occur during perimenopause and menopause. Read the NHS symptom guidance.
A note records what happened to you. It does not establish why it happened. If a change worries you or affects your daily life, discuss it with a healthcare professional.
Give one moment a little context
You can use these prompts in a notebook or your preferred record:
- When: the date, or an approximate date if that is all you remember.
- What happened: a specific experience, such as searching for a word during a conversation.
- Everyday impact: what became harder, interrupted or different for you.
- Your question: what you want to understand or discuss.
Use your own words. You don’t need a medical label or a guess about the cause. Leave a detail blank if you don’t know it.
Maya’s fictional note
13 October: Lost my train of thought during a meeting. Reported impact 2/5. I want to talk about this alongside my recent sleep difficulties.
Choose what you want to ask
Read your note before an appointment and choose the part you most want to discuss. You could ask what other information would be useful to record.
In SNRBoost, symptom notes, history and selected records can form part of an appointment brief. The app is in development. You can read a fictional example now, without creating an account.
Sources and scope
- NHS: Symptoms of menopause and perimenopauseClinical context for memory, concentration, mood and sleep. Source last reviewed 19 May 2026.
- Jean Hailes for Women’s Health: MenopauseClinical context and the importance of discussing concerns. Source checked 15 October 2026; no page update date was shown.
This guide offers practical ways to keep notes, not a diagnosis or treatment advice. It has not received independent clinical review. About our sources and editorial process.