#12 - Tiffany Bernical: Perimenopause, Hormones & Brain Fog

Brain fog, memory lapses, disrupted sleep and mood changes can be deeply unsettling. For many women, these symptoms begin during perimenopause. They can appear years before menopause itself and are often dismissed as stress, ageing or simply not coping. This topic matters because perimenopause can affect far more than physical health. It can influence confidence, relationships, work performance and everyday decision-making. Despite how common these experiences are, many women still receive very little information about what is happening or where to seek support. In this episode I’m joined by Tiffany Bernical a psychology researcher, PhD candidate and health and fitness professional. Her work focuses on cognition, hormones and menopause-related brain fog. We talk about what perimenopause actually is, why it can last for several years and how hormonal changes may affect the brain. Tiffany explains how these changes can influence memory, attention, processing speed and word retrieval. We also look at the broader impact this can have on someone’s confidence and daily life. We touch on sleep, stress, emotional regulation, ADHD, hormone therapy, cycle syncing, nutrition and exercise. We also discuss practical ways to reduce cognitive load and better manage brain fog. One of the biggest parts of the conversation is the gap that still exists in women’s health research. We talk about the lack of a clear definition for menopause-related brain fog and why current cognitive testing may not fully capture what women are actually experiencing. This is an honest and practical discussion about the female brain and the realities of perimenopause. We also look at why women deserve clearer information, earlier support and greater understanding from healthcare professionals, workplaces, families and the wider community. This episode is proudly sponsored by GEE Recovery the Central Coast’s leading destination for recovery, wellness and performance. Explore infrared and traditional saunas, hot and cold therapy, massage and compression therapy at https://geerecovery.com.au/