Exhaustion in Perimenopause

Don't Lay it Down

One could write a book about the fatigue women experience during perimenopause and its causes. You must see a doctor if you begin feeling fatigued, whatever your age. Fatigue can be caused by so many factors, you must rule out illnesses or other reasons for the fatigue, which is easily done with blood tests.

Here are some reasons why you may be exhausted during perimenopause:

• Changes in estrogen levels cause difficulty sleeping and sleeping soundly.
  You may have anemia, which can be caused by a deficiency in vitamin B12 or in your ability to process vitamin B12.
• Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are two illnesses often seen in women going through perimenopause. Both of these conditions can cause severe fatigue.
• Depression and anxiety can wear you down and out. Again, shifting, rising, and falling hormone levels can create these symptoms.
• Life's pressures can make you feel as if the walls are caving in. Job, parents, kids, your own body changing can all wreak hormonal havoc on you. There never seems to be enough time to do anything.
• Lack of time out. When you are running on empty all the time, how on earth can you ever refill your gas tank? When you don't have any time for pleasurable activities, you are sure to drain your life force.
• Insufficient rest can sap your energy. Trying to do everything may not leave you enough time to recharge your batteries.
• Smoking is a huge drain of energy (not to mention it also causes wrinkles and death).
• Lack of exercise
• Thyroid problems

A Personal Experience

"Half the time, I'm dragging around, feeling like the last ounce of energy left my body six months ago. Then, I found out I had a slight case of pernicious anemia, which, in my case, was due to a B12 deficiency. I've been taking injections of B12, which has helped tremendously. By the way, I've had every thyroid test possible, and they have all come back completely normal.

What really helps is when I meditate and exercise regularly. But I'm always working til all hours, and refuse to stop, saying that I just don't have time for it. Funny thing is, when I make myself do these things, I end up with more energy. It's just so hard to get off the "treadmill" ... to get on the treadmill.

Natural Tips for Relief

Other Resources