Period FAQs

can periods make you tired

by Dr. Ross Fritsch I Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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During the second half of the menstrual cycle, around the time women start experiencing symptoms of PMS, estrogen levels peak and then fall quickly – causing you to feel tired or sluggish.Jun 23, 2021

When does your period make you the most tired?

What causes period fatigue?

  • Hormonal changes. During menstruation, your body experiences changes in hormone levels that can leave you feeling tired, Mandal says.
  • Blood and associative iron loss. Additionally, the blood loss during your period can contribute to fatigue due to a loss of iron. ...
  • Dehydration and stress. ...

Why you should not ignore tiredness during your period?

  • Stress. Believe it or not, being under stress (especially when its chronic) can throw a wrench in your menstrual activity.
  • Extreme fluctuations in weight and physical activity. ...
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome, aka PCOS. ...
  • Hormonal birth control. ...
  • Perimenopause. ...

Does being on your period make you more tired?

Your body can feel tired and lethargic if your tissues can’t recover and get the oxygen that it needs to function. This can lead to extreme fatigue right before period, during and after your period. Treatment can be as simple as incorporating more meat into your diet, or if you’re a vegetarian, then iron supplements or extra leafy greens!

Can starting the pill make you late on your period?

It's possible to delay or prevent your period with extended or continuous use of any combined estrogen-progestin birth control pill. Your doctor can recommend the best pill schedule for you, but generally, you skip the inactive pills in your pill pack and start right away on a new pack.

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Why am I so tired when I have my period?

Heavy menstrual bleeding often causes women to feel tired, commonly known as period fatigue. This is normal due to the decrease in oestrogen levels, which occurs around this point in your menstrual cycle. Your energy levels will usually return to normal within a few days as your hormone levels begin to increase again.

Do you need more sleep when on period?

PMS can cause some women to sleep much more than normal. Fatigue and tiredness around their period, as well as mood changes like depression, may lead to sleeping too much (hypersomnia).

What helps with fatigue during period?

Tips for fighting fatigueCreate a healthy bedtime routine. This is especially important in the days leading up to your period. ... Focus on foods with less sugar. ... Prioritize your workout. ... Try Chinese medicine. ... Keep your bedroom cool. ... Stay hydrated. ... Try relaxation techniques.

Why you should rest on your period?

A good night's rest goes a long way during your period. Some women report disrupted sleep during their period and studies have found that sleep deprivation will increase cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that can raise blood sugar which disturbs your ovulation and period.

Is it good to take naps on your period?

They tested this hypothesis on ten women with significant premenstrual symptoms and a control group of nine women with minimal or no symptoms, and found that napping made both groups feel better. More precisely, Napping improved sleepiness, alertness, mood, and some aspects of cognitive performance.

How much blood do you lose on your period?

Usually, menstrual bleeding lasts about 4 to 5 days and the amount of blood lost is small (2 to 3 tablespoons). However, women who have menorrhagia usually bleed for more than 7 days and lose twice as much blood.

What should you not do while on your period?

Image SourceDon't use scented toilet paper, tampons or pads. ... Don't wait to take medications until your cramps are bad. ... Don't avoid tracking your period. ... Don't wash your vagina and vulva too thoroughly. ... Don't forgo condoms during your period. ... Don't change your tampon infrequently. ... Don't let cravings win.

Why am I always tired and have no energy?

You may be too exhausted even to manage your daily affairs. In most cases, there's a reason for the fatigue. It might be allergic rhinitis, anemia, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease (COPD), a bacterial or viral infection, or some other health condition.

How long does period fatigue last?

This lasts for up to seven days, but the duration can vary from person to person. However, one common symptom that develops in most women who are menstruating is fatigue, as they complain of persistent tiredness and lack of energy.

What vitamin helps with PMS?

Several vitamins and minerals including vitamin B, vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium are essential for neurotransmitter synthesis and hormonal balance, both of which are potentially involved in the underlying pathogenesis of PMS.

What should you eat when you feel fatigued?

Foods That Beat FatigueUnprocessed foods.Fruits and vegetables.Non-caffeinated beverages.Lean proteins.Whole grains and complex carbs.Nuts.Water.Vitamins and supplements.More items...

How can I increase my serotonin levels during PMS?

Vitamin and mineral supplements may help raise serotonin levels. Especially important are calcium, magnesium and vitamins B6 and E. Magnesium (250 mg orally each day) may help some women. Patients with PMS often crave chocolate, which contains a large amount of magnesium.

What Causes Fatigue During Period?

Like many bodily operations, menstrual fatigue can partly be attributed to hormonal fluctuations.

What to do when you are tired during your period?

If your period fatigue feels unmanageable, or is greatly interfering with your daily period life, ask your doctor. Keep track of other symptoms you’re experiencing like cramps, nausea, and bloating. It’s also helpful to track when around your period you tend to feel the most tired.

What are the minerals that help with menstrual fatigue?

Your body depends on essential minerals, like iron and magnesium, to stay healthy and vital. When these are low, like in the case of anemia, period symptoms can be worsened. Ask your provider about getting these tested. If they are low, taking supplements, and eating mineral rich foods, can help combat menstrual fatigue.

How to stop feeling overwhelmed during menstruation?

Some level of menstrual fatigue may be inevitable, so if you have the ability to schedule your days to accommodate this, it can keep you from feeling so overwhelmed. Try tracking your cycle, so that you know when you tend to be the most fatigued.

What is the best treatment for period fatigue?

Chinese medicine practitioners use acupuncture, herbalism, and other methods to help regulate period symptoms. Functional medicine doctors and providers combine allopathic medicine with more natural remedies ...

How to get rid of fatigue when you are tired?

Try tracking your cycle, so that you know when you tend to be the most fatigued. Avoid scheduling meetings, due dates, and social gatherings around these times. Be easy on yourself, if you can’t totally relax, it’s ok to do the bare minimum, before retiring for the day.

Can thyroid problems be exacerbated during menstruation?

Symptoms from thyroid disorders can be exacerbated during menstruation.

How to help with period fatigue?

It is a symptom of PMS. Some people may be able to alleviate period fatigue and other PMS symptoms using home remedies, such as exercise, relaxation, and alternative therapies. Others may require medical treatment. Anyone who is concerned about period fatigue should see a doctor.

What are the symptoms of a period?

Symptoms can include weakness and fatigue. Food cravings: During a period, a person may experience food cravings. Eating too much food could lead to a spike and subsequent dip in blood glucose levels. This dip could leave a person feeling tired and fatigued.

What is PMS fatigue?

According to the Office on Women’s Health, as many as 5% of females of childbearing age experience a more severe form of PMS known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Why is it so hard to sleep during the night?

Disturbed sleep: Period pains and mood changes may make it difficult for a person to get to sleep or stay asleep throughout the night. The person may then experience tiredness and fatigue the following day.

What happens if you have low iron during your period?

Low iron: Heavy bleeding during a period could lead to iron deficiency anemia. Without sufficient iron, the body is unable to produce the hemoglobin that red blood cells require to transport oxygen to the body’s cells. Symptoms can include weakness and fatigue.

How to prevent fatigue from dehydration?

Staying hydrated: Dehydration can worsen fatigue. Drinking fluids at regular intervals will help prevent dehydration.

How to improve sleep quality during period?

A person’s baseline body temperature increases by about 0.5°C before their period, which may contribute to poor or interrupted sleep. Lowering the room temperature slightly may help improve comfort and sleep quality, resulting in less fatigue the following day.

How to get tired when you're tired?

There are natural ways of helping your body out when its feeling tired though; drinking water, getting at least eight hours sleep and exercising is all useful, general advice. But according to Nicole Telfer, Science Content Producer at period tracking app Clue, there are different ways to overcome your tiredness depending on what's causing it.

How long after ovulation do you feel less tired?

There’s not much you can do about your body’s natural cycle, but the good news is that your energy levels tend to peak during ovulation, which is generally about two weeks after the start of your period.

What happens when your uterus isn't invaded by a fertilised egg?

Then, when your uterine lining isn’t invaded by a fertilised egg, the hormones sustaining the environment aren’t needed anymore and the hormone levels plummet. When this happens, your body goes from high alert to nothing hormonally and that shift causes other changes, which are exhausting.

What foods can help with energy during menstruation?

Instead of reaching for a slab of Dairy Milk, a few foods likely to boost your energy levels while menstruating include oats (for slow release energy), red meat, ...

Can light therapy help with premenstrual mood disorder?

If you have a premenstrual mood disorder, the expert suggests you're "more likely to experience sleep disturbances like insomnia, hypersomnia, fatigue, and even disturbing dreams during the luteal phase (the second part of the menstrual cycle) which could be due to disruption in circadian rhythms." In order to overcome this, Nicole explains that some researchers suggest using light therapy may help people with severe cases, but more research in the area is needed.

Can menstrual cycle cause depression?

As well as feeling irritable and depressed, people who menstruate can also become very drained and weary, he adds (lucky us!). "It is thought that PMS could be triggered by a drop in oestrogen and serotonin, resulting in a double whammy for mood swings and energy levels."

How to get rid of tiredness during period?

Some ways to combat the feeling of tiredness during your period include drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration, eating healthy, getting at least 8 hours of sleep, and doing some physical activity or exercise – as it is the best fighter of fatigue.

When Is a Period Heavy?

Though the degree of menstrual bleeding differs from woman to woman, a period can be considered ‘heavy” when the following symptoms occur:

How to tell if you have thyroid problems?

Your GP can determine if you have a thyroid problem by carrying out a thyroid function test, taking a blood sample to measure hormone levels. If diagnosed, hormone replacement tablets are prescribed and should be taken daily, with blood tests being carried out regularly to monitor hormone levels.

What is it called when you have a heavy period?

Many women suffer from menorrhagia, which is more commonly known as heavy periods. Around 1 in 3 women will seek treatment for the issue.

How long does it take for energy levels to return to normal?

Your energy levels will usually return to normal within a few days as your hormone levels begin to increase again. However, for some women, fatigue may last longer and be more extreme. Some women may find themselves completely sluggish and unable to properly carry out routine activities, signifying something more severe.

How to get rid of tiredness during period?

Keep An Eye On Your Diet. Along with water, it seems that you need to watch your diet during the more fatiguing parts of your period, to try and counteract the exhaustion. Good sources of iron are particularly useful, to counteract any tiredness-triggering iron loss; get yourself some red meat, spinach or sardines.

What to eat during your period to get rid of fatigue?

Good sources of iron are particularly useful, to counteract any tiredness-triggering iron loss; get yourself some red meat, spinach or sardines. You may also want to stay away from carbohydrates and load up on healthy fats and vitamins, to help you process nutrients and give you maximum energy.

What happens to estrogen before the period?

when the womb sheds its lining, creating a period), levels of estrogen and progesterone lower, which means that energy may be at a low ebb.

What does it mean when you have a heavy period?

The technical term for a heavy period is menorrhagia, and it can show up in several ways: going through many menstrual products in a short time, bleeding for longer than a week, or having blood clots appear in your flow beyond a 24-hour period.

What is the meaning of "menstrual cycle"?

Menstrual cycles involve a complex interplay of hormones and bodily processes, plus various underlying conditions that may be causing variation, so you can't draw any conclusions just because your friend Lizzie's cousin's boss got tired during her period, and shortly thereafter her womb exploded. (Or something to that effect.)

Is everyone's period different?

The main lesson to take away from this article is that everybody's period is different. Menstrual cycles involve a complex interplay of hormones and bodily processes, plus various underlying conditions that may be causing variation, so you can't draw any conclusions just because your friend Lizzie's cousin's boss got tired during her period, and shortly thereafter her womb exploded. (Or something to that effect.) Exhaustion during menstruation is annoying, but it can be dealt with, and medical professionals won't find it puzzling or shocking.

Can you nap during your period?

And yes, you can have that nap. 1. Don't Panic. It seems as if hormonal levels may be at least partially to blame for increased fatigue at the start of your period, because of the impact that estrogen and progesterone have on your body's energy levels.

What are the symptoms of PMS?

You may experience some degree of discomfort shortly before your period each month. Moodiness, bloating, and headaches are common premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms, and so is fatigue.

How long before a period does PMDD occur?

PMDD usually occurs about 7 to 10 days before a period and has many of the same symptoms as PMS. In addition to symptoms like fatigue, bloating, digestive issues, and headaches, people with PMDD have emotional symptoms, such as: crying spells. anger. sadness.

What to do if you think you have PMDD?

If you think you may have PMDD or another condition, make an appointment with your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment options. PMDD is treatable and, with the right type of care, you may be able to put pre-period fatigue behind you.

Is it normal to feel tired before your period?

Is it normal to feel tired before a period? Yes . In fact, fatigue is one of the most common PMS symptoms. So although it can be inconvenient and annoying to feel zapped of energy shortly before your period, it’s completely normal. In most cases, feeling tired before your period is nothing to be worried about.

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