What are the reasons for fatigue in females?

Fatigue is a common symptom experienced by women of all ages. It can be caused by a number of reasons, ranging from hormonal imbalances to lifestyle factors. Some of the most common reasons for fatigue in females include various chronic conditions.

Chronic Illness

Dedicated to Male Partners

SEND IT MY WAY!

This blog focuses on endometriosis and fibromyalgia, but before I discuss them, there are other reasons why women feel fatigued.

Reasons for fatigue in females are associated with low energy levels, poor diet or intolerance to specific foods, lack of sleep, depression, stress, anxiety, endocrine issues or menopause-related hormonal changes, and certain medications that cause drowsiness as other side effects.

My short story.

My wife suffers from stage IV deep infiltrating endometriosis, fibromyalgia disorder, and CFS.

Being her husband, I’ve learned a lot about medical and mental conditions that contribute to tiredness, fatigue, anemia, and more.

If you want to learn more about both chronic conditions, I warmly invite you to read my books on the subject. You can find them below…

My book.

If you want more in-depth information about how to support your partner with her chronic conditions and how to cope with the new normal in your relationship, I wrote a “Supporting a Chronically Ill Partner” e-Book.

You can get the 1st Chapter of the e-Book for FREE, and if you like it, you’ll get a 33% discount on the whole book!

The first chapter alone contains a lot of information for both of you about acknowledging the struggles, including:

• A word to your partner.
• A word to you.
• Stepping on eggshells.
• Understanding her needs.
• How to acknowledge having a chronically ill partner?
• Acknowledging can be hard.
• 15 tips on how to do it!

Reasons for fatigue in females.

Before I enter the subject of endometriosis, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome, I want to list a number of common reasons for tiredness in females, they are:

• low energy levels
• diet and nutrition
• intolerance to specific foods
• lack of sleep
• stress and anxiety
• depression
• endocrine and thyroid problems
• menopause
• certain medications

Low energy levels.

Low energy levels can be caused by a variety of reasons, ranging from a lack of good night’s sleep to nutritional deficiencies. Feeling fatigued has several factors.

Commonly, sleep apnea, diabetes, heart disease, weight gain, weight loss, high blood pressure, or any medical conditions may be some of the reasons for fatigue in females.

For many women, including my wife, even a cup of coffee does not replenish the loss of energy. Besides, an excessive caffeine intake might not be possible for those on a low FODMAP diet.

Improving your diet is one of the best strategies you can use to increase your energy levels. Let’s talk about that.

Diet & nutrition.

Poor nutrition can lead to not having enough calories, and to feeling fatigued due to the deficiency of essential vitamins, iron deficiency minerals, and proteins. Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of proteins, vegetables, and whole grains can help to provide the body with energizing nutrients.

In addition, avoiding processed and refined foods that contain simple sugars and artificial colors can help to reduce tiredness. Certain food allergies and intolerances can also cause it, so identifying and avoiding any potential triggers is important.

Additionally, apart from iron deficiency, vitamin D deficiency is one of the reasons for fatigue in females, so supplementing with an iron-rich diet, vitamin D is important, along with eating foods rich in vitamin D such as fatty fish, eggs, and mushrooms.

Iron supplements and vitamin D supplements can help anemia and vitamin D deficiency, but they may not be enough for those who have intolerances to supplements of this kind.

Intolerance to specific foods.

Feeling tired can be caused by diet and nutrition, but it is important to state that food intolerances also cause you to feel tired. Refined grains are one of them.

Common culprits include dairy, gluten, caffeine, and sugar (especially high in energy drinks). If exhaustion persists even after taking precautionary measures, it is best to get tested for food intolerances.

Intolerance to certain foods can cause women to feel bad as it causes the body to work harder in order to digest them. It is important for women who experience food intolerances or allergies to avoid those particular foods.

Lack of quality sleep.

Poor quality sleep or a lack of good night’s sleep can be reasons for fatigue in females. Sleep deprivation can lead to tiredness due to the body not getting enough rest and recovery time.

Not getting enough sleep per night robs the body of energy as it has to replenish itself while on rest. Women need at least seven hours of sleep each night in order to function optimally during the day and not feel tired.

Having poor sleep quality can lead to feeling sluggish, but can also cause fatigue, so making sure to get restful sleep each night is important for women’s health.

When you don’t have enough sleep, you feel tired. But chronic lack of proper sleep, either due to sleep apnea or other symptoms can make you feel extreme fatigue.

Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing patterns during sleep can be disrupted, leading to fatigue.

Stress and anxiety.

Mental health problems often cause people to have trouble sleeping or have not enough hours of sleep. Stress and anxiety contribute to tiredness in females because when under pressure, hormones are released that leave you feeling drained and exhausted quickly.

It is important for women experiencing stress or anxiety to practice relaxation techniques, such as yoga, listening to soft music, or meditation in order to manage stress. But it may not be as easy as it seems.

A cup of chamomile tea isn’t enough to reduce stress, you need to reduce the triggers that cause you to feel stressed in the first place, otherwise, the vicious cycle of anxiety disorders will prevent you to fall asleep.

Another common mental health problem aside from anxiety is depression. Let’s talk about it.

Depression.

Depression can also be a factor when it comes to fatigue in females due to the lack of motivation and low energy levels that come with this condition. It is important for women suffering from depression to seek professional help in order to address their symptoms.

Women may be tired because excessive sleepiness and a lack of physical activity caused by depression contribute to complete exhaustion.

It can be difficult for depressed people to keep a proper sleep schedule because depression makes them want to stay in bed the whole day, and a proper sleep pattern doesn’t exist.

Endocrine issues.

Endocrine issues can cause fatigue in females because they disrupt the body’s natural hormone balance. To name few, hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, and polycystic ovary syndrome are all reasons why women may get fatigued.

Thyroid gland function can be tested to help diagnose endocrine issues and hormone balance can also be restored with supplements and lifestyle changes. Thyroid issues can occur either through an overactive thyroid or underactive thyroid. Thyroid hormones are essential for metabolism, so if the hormones are imbalanced, fatigue may occur.

It is important that women get regular check-ups with their doctor about getting tested and treated accordingly.

Adrenal issues can make women tired. Adrenal fatigue is caused by prolonged stress which leads to an overload of cortisol, the hormone responsible for providing energy and stress relief. When this hormone is in overload, fatigue occurs due to the body not being able to cope with the extra work.

Lastly, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is another endocrine issue that can be a reason for tiredness in females. PCOS occurs when there is an imbalance of hormones which can cause fatigue and low energy levels due to the body not being able to produce enough estrogen and progesterone.

The American Thyroid Association suggest that women should get regular check-ups with their doctor about getting tested and treated accordingly for endocrine issues and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Menopause.

Menopause is another reason why some women feel like they don’t have enough energy, as many women report feeling tired during this time due to hormonal changes taking place in the body.

Oftentimes, women with endometriosis cannot wait to get through menopause because of the high estrogen levels endometrial tissue produces causing them a lot of pain.

Menopause can be managed through lifestyle changes and natural supplements, but it may be impossible for some women with endometriosis.

I’ll talk about endometriosis in a moment.

Certain medications.

Certain medications can cause fatigue in females as a side effect. It is important for women to read the labels on their medication and ask their doctor about any potential side effects of the medications they are taking.

Blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and seizure medications are some of the most common reasons for fatigue in females due to their effects on the body and nervous system.

Most adults take such medicines, especially older adults.

Chronic illnesses.

Endometriosis and fibromyalgia are two other reasons why some women may experience fatigue.

Endometriosis is a condition in which a tissue that is similar to one that lines the uterus grows outside of it. Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread pain. Both also cause chronic inflammation, chronic pain, and chronic fatigue.

Endometriosis causes loss of blood. Not having enough blood flow and red blood cells causes women low iron levels and anemia. Not having enough oxygen can cause chronic fatigue. Fibromyalgia can also cause low levels of serotonin which is responsible for regulating mood, appetite, and sleep.

A sedentary lifestyle caused by both chronic conditions can further worsen the situation.

Conclusion.

Overall, fatigue in females can have many causes and it is important for women to understand the reasons behind their fatigue in order to address it appropriately. Some of them include sleep apnea, heart disease, thyroid problems (inactive or overactive thyroid), or medical conditions.

Additionally, women should consider addressing any underlying reasons for their fatigue such as poor diet and nutrition that can cause vitamin D deficiency, low energy levels, stress and anxiety, depression, and menopause.

A simple blood test can help because such a blood test reveals what’s working and what’s missing in your blood. Taking a family history is also beneficial.

A blood test can help you figure out what’s missing in your diet and even improve your medical condition, bone strength, and even heart palpitations.

Finally, women should be aware of any side effects of the medications they are taking. By understanding and addressing their fatigue, women can work towards restoring their energy levels and living healthier and happier lives.

When it comes to the reasons for fatigue in females caused by chronic conditions such as endometriosis, fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis, women should consult with doctors who specialize in a particular condition to create a plan to receive the appropriate medical and holistic treatment.

Good luck!