Period FAQs

why am i so tired on my period

by Molly Thompson 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

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. ...

Why am I so itchy down there during my period?

What can cause vaginal itching during a period?

  • Causes during a period. Hormonal changes are a possible cause of vaginal itching during menstruation. ...
  • Other causes. The following conditions can cause vaginal itching at any stage of the menstrual cycle, including during menstruation.
  • Home remedies. Certain home remedies can help treat and prevent vaginal itching.
  • Treatments. ...
  • When to see a doctor. ...
  • Summary. ...

Why am I Dizzy few days before my period?

What causes dizziness before period

  1. Your menstrual period is about to start. If you feel a cyclical pattern of dizziness before the start of your period, then likely, you new episode is because your ...
  2. Vertigo. If you are experiencing dizziness all the time, its possible you have vertigo. ...
  3. Low blood sugar levels. ...
  4. Low blood pressure. ...
  5. Iron Deficiency Anemia. ...

Why do I feel Moody during my period?

During the third week, progesterone rises (while estrogen drops) and may lead to a sluggish mood; some women may also feel emotionally low during this period. During the fourth week, the levels of estrogen drop; this can lead to irritability, body pain and moodiness. Meanwhile, progesterone levels are dropping too, so some women feel energetic.

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Why do I feel so tired during 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.

How do I fight fatigue during my 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.

Do you need more sleep on your 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).

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 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.

What is the best position to sleep on your period?

In fact, we asked a few experts about the best way to sleep when you're on your period, and they unanimously agreed on one position: the fetal position. "Sleeping in the fetal position takes pressure off the abdominal muscles," explains Lisa Lindley, M.D., board-certified gynecologist with Eisenhower Women's Health.

How should I lay down on my period?

Lie down on your back and keep this pillow under your knees. Keep your legs straight and not higher or lower in height as that can affect the blood flow. If you do not have a round pillow, you can roll a towel or any other cloth and keep it under your knees. This will help relax your muscles and bring you at ease.

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 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...

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.

How can I increase my serotonin levels before my period?

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.

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 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.

Why is it so hard to fall asleep during my period?

Stress: As we mentioned before, periods cause extra stress. This can make it hard to fall or stay asleep—despite making you feel so tired.

What happens when you have your period?

In the weeks leading up to your period, your body prepares for a potential pregnancy with spikes in your estrogen levels. These hormones work in overdrive to create the perfect environment for a fertilized egg. Once your period arrives, your body realizes that you no longer need those high estrogen levels to sustain a pregnancy, causing them to drop off.

What can I do to relieve menstrual fatigue?

When it comes to abnormal period symptoms, the key is to find and treat the underlying cause. That is why it is important to find a doctor who is willing to take the time to really talk with you and understand your symptoms.

How long does it take for fatigue to start before your period?

While you might think that 7-days of menstrual fatigue sounds manageable, this tiredness can actually begin several days before your period does. For many women, PMS or PMDD causes fatigue and other negative symptoms in the days or weeks leading up to their period.

What hormones cause fatigue?

Estrogen dominance—fatigue from high levels of estrogen. While estrogen can give you energy, abnormally high levels of estrogen creates a hormonal imbalance. Your body’s estrogen will begin overpowering your body’s progesterone levels. Progesterone is responsible for regulating your period.

What hormones are responsible for regulating your period?

Progesterone is responsible for regulating your period. It also plays a key role in offsetting the negative side effects that estrogen can create. One of these—as you may have guessed—is fatigue. When your estrogen levels are much higher than your progesterone levels, this condition is called estrogen dominance.

What happens when you are in menopause?

As your body prepares for menopause, you will begin to notice differences in your period, body, and overall well being. This may include fatigue. Harvard Health Publishing reports that 40% of perimenopausal women have difficulty sleeping. Fatigue and other pre-menopausal challenges can seem overwhelming and inevitable.

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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1 – Estrogen Fluctuations

  • During the second half of your menstrual cycle, that time when you start to feel a little bit more tired or sluggish, estrogen levels peak and then fall. They continue to fall during the week of your period, making you feel more tired and less la-deda about life. While it’s inevitable that estrogen levels drop during this time, there are some thing...
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2 – Iron Deficiency and Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

  • If you already suffer from low iron levels or anemia, losing any amount of blood during your period can result in extreme tiredness. If you have not been diagnosed with anemia but still experience heavy menstrual bleeding, you probably feel sluggish during your period. If this sounds like you, I recommend getting your iron levels tested. Heavy menstrual bleeding can result from many thin…
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3 – Stress

  • Stress can cause tiredness, not only during your period but also at all other times. If you experience chronic low levels of stress or acute stressful situations, odds are you feel sluggish. Right before your period, serotonin levels drop, making you a little more irritable and less likely to let things slide off your back. This time makes you especially susceptible to stress and emotion…
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4 – Unhealthy Eating Habits during/before Cycle

  • Unhealthy eating habits can throw blood sugar levels out of whack, increase inflammation, and cause stress in the body and mind. I know it can be lovely to have comfort foods before and during your cycle, but consuming foods high in white sugars, flour, and chemicals can be detrimental to hormone balance and energy levels. As I mentioned, poor detoxification is one of …
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5- Poor Sleep

  • This may seem like an obvious reason for being tired during your period, but it still needs to be mentioned. Before and during your period, you’re more likely to experience insomnia and sleep disturbances. To combat poor sleep during your period so that you can wake up refreshed, try these tips: 1. Drink calming/sleepy time teas like lavender, passionflower, lemon balm, chamomil…
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