Menopause and Fatigue

Fatigue is described as a persistent feeling of lowered energy levels, tiredness and weakness, but it is not drowsiness or sleepiness, according to 34-menopause-symptoms.com. Fatigue can exacerbate other physical conditions that may be pre-existing or simply make them seem worse. Nearly 80 percent of all menopausal women complain of fatigue and this can make the menopausal phase of life even more difficult to deal with because you are lacking in energy.

Types

• Fatigue can result in mental symptoms including memory lapses, irritability, decreased attention span and decreased wakefulness. Seniorfitness.com reports that women in this phase of their life often experience mental fatigue that results in feelings of indifference. The physical symptoms of fatigue include muscle weariness and loss of energy after eating.

Contributing Factors

• Depression sometimes develops when a woman is in menopause and this may be linked to fatigue, according to the Cleveland Clinic. In addition, a tired and depressed menopausal woman may sleep too much but may not be getting sound sleep. The Mayo Clinic adds that lack of sound sleep can sap your energy during your waking hours and lead, at least indirectly, to feelings of loss and sadness, which can, in turn, lead to depression. In other words, a woman who is full of energy is probably not a depressed woman and a depressed woman is probably not full of energy.

Effects

• During the peri-menopausal phase that precedes menopause, hormones are fluctuating drastically and this can result in sleep disturbances and disruptions. If you are waking up drenched in sweat from a night sweat and are shivering because your body has become chilled due to the sweat, this is not restorative sleep and you are going to be tired the next day.

Other Considerations

• Thyroid disorders, particularly hypothyroidism (sluggish thyroid), frequently crop up in menopausal women. This condition can cause fatigue. The thyroid controls your metabolism. If this gland is operating at a snail's pace, you are going to be tired, you may gain weight, and you may find that your hair is becoming thin and falling out. This condition requires medical treatment.

Outcome

• Fatigue can be a direct result of imbalanced hormones, according to Seniorfitness.com. Estrogen levels dip drastically when a woman is nearing menopause and this can cause many symptoms. Estrogen is responsible for maintaining blood flow and proper cholesterol levels, determining body shape via fat distribution as well as regulating hemostasis, which means maintaining physical equilibrium, according to Biology-online.org. If your body is suffering from hormonal imbalances because of estrogen deficiency, you cannot adapt to temperature changes and other internal and external influences as quickly and efficiently as you once did. When your progesterone levels plummet during menopause, this too can also contribute to fatigue. Discuss this with your physician. Some women opt for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) while others resort to herbal remedies.

Approach

• Try to combat fatigue as best you can. Don't drink too much alcohol; quit smoking because this will lower estrogen levels that are already near depletion and engage in a daily exercise routine that will boost your endorphins. Make sure that you are eating a balanced diet and, if needed, take a daily vitamin supplement. Get some sun exposure each day because this will boost your body's vitamin D content, which will increase your energy levels.