Brain fog was the most commonly reported menopause symptom among British women in a survey last year. Now, as part of a landmark collaboration between leading UCL Clinical Psychologist Professor Aimee Spector (Division of Psychology and Language Sciences) and campaign group, Menopause Mandate, a new survey aims to dig deeper into the mental and cognitive impact of menopause. The survey, which is set to be the largest of its kind in the UK, will cover topics from memory loss and anxiety to potential links with dementia, and will help shine a light on the hormone-related symptoms that continue to be overlooked, misdiagnosed, and untreated.
Professor Aimee Spector is Director of the UCL Menopause Lab. This research hub focuses on the impact of menopause transition on cognition and mental health. Talking about the importance of the survey, she said:
We’re beginning to understand that menopause-related brain fog isn’t just frustrating – it may have a drastic impact on all areas of life including work, relationships and mental health. This partnership allows us to gather one of the largest datasets in the world, helping to inform future care, support, and even prevention strategies.
The 2025 Menopause Mandate Survey includes questions covering symptoms, healthcare experiences, mental wellbeing, and workplace impact. The results will be used to inform academic research on menopause and brain health, as well as strengthen the campaign to include menopause in the NHS Health Check at 40 and power lobbying efforts for better menopause care and workplace policies.
Menopause Mandate will present the results to MPs later this year as part of Menopause Awareness Month in October, as it continue to call for greater awareness, education and support for women during this period of life.
Results from the Menopause Mandate’s 2024 survey found that over 14,000 women mentioned brain fog as their main symptom and 89% said it affected their quality of life. Only 23% reported having had a good experience with their GP and 1 in 3 said that they had paid privately for help. 87% said it impacted them at work – yet fewer than 40% said their employer had a menopause policy.
The current survey aims to build on these findings by increasing our understanding of the mental and cognitive impact of menopause.
Last year, 19,000 women told us their number one symptom wasn’t a hot flush – it was brain fog. This year, we want to help understand why – and what that means for women’s long-term mental health. With 30,000 voices behind us, this could be a national reckoning.
