Understanding Menopause Fatigue

Although "menopause fatigue" isn't a specific medical term, for many women the two conditions do seem to be closely linked. If you're between the ages of 40 and 55, are peri-menopausal, or going through menopause, chances are good that you're tired a lot of the time.

During this time in life, it is common to feel tired, sad and/or irritable. You may also have difficulty concentrating and remembering things or experience unexpected waves of weakness.

What Causes Fatigue During Menopause?

In one word - hormones. Those pesky hormones that can put you on a roller coaster ride of emotion every month, or during pregnancy, can cause more problems once you reach menopause.

Your body is going through some significant changes and your hormone levels are often out of balance. The result is menopause fatigue and a host of other difficulties including depression, anxiety, memory loss, and sleep disturbances.

A poll by the National Sleep Foundation found that 61% of women between the ages of 45 and 51 are losing sleep on a regular basis. The link between menopause and insomnia plays a key role in fatigue.

There can be many reasons for insomnia during menopause, and one of those is fluctuating hormone levels. Hormones play a pivotal role in regulating your body's sleep/wake cycles, and estrogen and progesterone have a significant influence on your sleep patterns.

During menopause your body clock can get seriously out-of-whack, resulting in insomnia and menopause fatigue. Of course, hormones can also cause other insomnia-inducing problems during menopause, including hot flashes, anxiety,and/or palpitations.

Always talk with your doctor about your fatigue issues and what can be done to help your energy levels return. There are a variety of ways to deal with fatigue during menopause, including the following.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Regulating your hormone levels may be the key to overcoming menopause-related fatigue. There are risks and contradictions for hormone replacement therapy (HTR). Therefore, talk with your doctor to see what can be done to safely address your hormone imbalance.

Improving Your Sleep Habits

Over time, many of us slide into bad sleep habits. We may stay up too late watching TV or trawling through cyberspace. Or we may drink, smoke, or eat too close to bedtime. There are many things we can do that can make our fatigue worse and increase our risk of insomnia. To learn about healthy sleep habits, click here.

Reducing Anxiety Levels

If you're always feeling jittery or anxious, and you have trouble sleeping at night because of your racing thoughts, learning to relax can really help. There are many different relaxation techniques from which to choose. These ten ways to relax can help you relax and benefit from a restful night's sleep.

Alternative Therapies and Natural Supplements

Your menopause fatigue may also be helped by trying alternative therapies such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, or natural supplements likes Melatonin. Always Check with your doctor before starting any alternative therapy or considering any over-the-counter medication.

Also, it's important to realize that constant fatigue can be a symptom of several different illnesses or conditions. For more information on common diseases and health issues that cause extreme fatigue, click here.