Menopause fatigue is a common symptom that many women experience as they go through the menopausal transition. The fatigue associated with menopause can be described in several ways:
- An overall feeling of tiredness, lack of energy, and exhaustion that doesn't seem to improve with rest or sleep. Many women say it feels like a heaviness in their body and mind, making even simple tasks seem daunting.
- Brain fog and trouble concentrating. Problems with memory and focus are common with menopause fatigue. Women may have difficulty remembering things, staying on task, or following conversations.
- Sudden bouts of exhaustion or energy crashes, especially in the afternoon or early evening. You may suddenly feel completely drained of energy.
- Difficulty sleeping. Despite feeling extremely fatigued during the day, many women with menopause have trouble falling or staying asleep at night due to hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, and hormone fluctuations. Lack of restorative sleep exacerbates fatigue.
Why Does Menopause Fatigue Happen?
Fluctuating and declining hormones levels - especially
estrogen and
progesterone - are believed to be major contributors to exhaustion during menopause. These hormones are important for energy regulation in the body. Specifically:
- Falling estrogen impacts energy production at the cellular level, reduces endorphins that boost mood, and interferes with getting deep, restorative sleep.
- Declining progesterone can make it harder for the body to deal with stress and leads to feeling drained.
Other factors can also worsen menopause fatigue:
- Anemia - lower iron levels can reduce oxygen transport in blood, leaving you feeling weak and tired
- Thyroid issues - Thyroid dysfunction becomes more common in perimenopause/menopause and can cause exhaustion
- Medications - Some drugs for managing menopausal symptoms like hot flashes make cause fatigue as a side effect
- Lifestyle issues like poor sleep, lack of exercise, nutritional deficiencies, and high stress levels
- Depression or anxiety - New or worsening mood disorders associated with menopause hormones shifts
What Can Help with Menopausal Fatigue?
While frustrating, keep in mind that
menopause fatigue is usually temporary. Making adjustments to care for your body and getting any underlying issues treated can help boost your energy.
Relieving menopausal exhaustion typically involves a combination approach:
- Hormone therapy - Systemic estrogen with or without progesterone may help reduce fatigue that is hormone-related. Bioidentical hormones are plant-derived and molecularly identical to what your body makes. Our clinic specializes in custom bioidentical hormone pellet therapy to effectively treat menopause symptoms.
- Non-hormonal medications - Your doctor may recommend off-label drugs for fatigue like antidepressants or stimulants
- Supplements - Some women find relief from exhaustion through supplements like iron, B12, vitamin D, ginseng, Rhodiola rosea, Maca root powder, etc. But check with your doctor first about safety and interactions.
- Healthy lifestyle - Regular exercise appropriate for your fitness level, stress management techniques, healthy whole foods diet, staying well-hydrated, sufficient sleep, etc. can help fight menopausal tiredness.
- Treating underlying conditions - Diagnose and properly manage any thyroid dysfunction, anemia, sleep apnea, mood disorders, chronic illnesses, or medication side effects that could be worsening exhaustion.
If you feel extremely fatigued on most days or it is interfering with your quality of life,
please talk to your healthcare provider. Figuring out any contributing factors and taking a personalized approach is key to overcoming exhaustion during the menopause transition. Our caring doctors and nurses at Wellness Hormone Clinic specialize in perimenopause and menopause care.
We offer comprehensive testing and individualized treatment plans to help women feel their best at every age. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
