If your nights and your focus feel different in your 40s, you are far from alone. Here is what a recent study found, and some everyday steps worth talking over with your clinician.
What the research found
In a January 2026 analysis published in the journal Menopause, a Mayo Clinic-led team looked at self-reported symptoms from more than 12,000 women over age 35 who used the Flo women’s health app. Among women in perimenopause, 89% reported sleep problems and 87% reported brain fog. Exhaustion (95%) and fatigue (93%) were reported even more often.
The researchers also found that hot flashes, the symptom most people expect, were not the most commonly reported. Keep in mind that this was self-reported information from app users, so it does not describe everyone, and the authors note that more research is needed.
Simple steps to talk over with your clinician
- Keep a steady wake-up time, even on weekends.
- Keep your bedroom cool and dark.
- Cut back on caffeine after noon.
- Jot down when brain fog hits and how you slept the night before. A few weeks of notes can make your appointment more useful.
When to talk to a clinician
If sleep or focus changes are getting in the way of daily life, bring it up with a health care professional. Tell them about everything you take, including medications and supplements, so they can see the full picture.
This article is general information and is not medical advice. It does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition.
Source
Early Menopause Symptoms Might Not Be What Most Women Expect (MedicineNet), reporting on the January 2026 study in Menopause.