The primary female hormone linked to tiredness is progesterone, which has a natural sedative effect, increasing sleepiness during the second half of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and perimenopause, while its drop before a period or during menopause can disrupt sleep, causing fatigue. Estrogen fluctuations and thyroid issues (hypothyroidism), along with cortisol and testosterone imbalances, also significantly contribute to hormonal fatigue in women.
Common Hormones That Impact Energy Levels
Thyroid hormones: An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) slows your metabolism, often causing fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog. Cortisol: Known as the “stress hormone,” cortisol helps regulate energy throughout the day.
Hormonal imbalances affect your energy levels in various ways. Firstly, low levels of estrogen cause fatigue by disrupting your sleep. Second, low progesterone levels may lead to poor sleep quality and insomnia, contributing further to daytime fatigue.
Some conditions that cause fatigue include thyroid disorders, iron deficiency anemia, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, and COVID-19. Some other causes of fatigue may involve your diet, sleep, and levels of stress. Lifestyle changes can often improve feelings of fatigue in these situations.
Estrogen deficiency can lead to several subtle symptoms that may go unnoticed, including fatigue, mood swings, and changes in skin texture. Other signs may include hot flashes, irregular periods, or vaginal dryness.
What are the symptoms of low estrogen levels?
Estrogen is responsible for an increase in cortisol and testosterone levels, which naturally increase energy levels. Progesterone is the hormone that is dominant AFTER ovulation and is what prepares the uterus to receive a fertilized embryo.
Vitamin B12 and folate perform several important functions in the body, including keeping the nervous system healthy. A deficiency in either of these vitamins can cause a wide range of problems, including: extreme tiredness. a lack of energy.
Fatigue red flags signal potentially serious issues beyond normal tiredness, including unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, night sweats, shortness of breath, chest pain, severe headaches, confusion, or new neurological/joint problems alongside exhaustion. Other signs include fatigue worsening with activity, significant cognitive/mood changes, or lack of energy despite rest, suggesting conditions like infection, autoimmune disease, heart problems, cancer, or mental health issues, warranting prompt medical evaluation.
Vitamin B12 is the best vitamin supplement for treating tiredness and fatigue. This essential nutrient helps your body produce energy and keeps you feeling less fatigued both physically and mentally.
If you have a very light period that only lasts a few days and barely requires a pad, this indicates that estrogen may be low. If estrogen is too low to support ovulation, then progesterone will be low as well.
Signs Your Fatigue Could Be Hormone-Related
You may notice additional signs such as: Feeling exhausted despite 7-8 hours of sleep. Low motivation, brain fog, or difficulty concentrating. Mood swings, anxiety, or irritability.
Mood Swings- High progesterone can impact emotional stability, resulting in rapid mood changes. It includes feelings of anxiety, irritability, or sudden shifts to sadness, which can be challenging to manage. Bloating and Weight Gain—Progesterone affects how the body stores fat and can cause water retention.
Crushing Endocrine Fatigue: The Ultimate Guide to Boosting Hormonal Energy
Hormones out of whack can show up as mood swings, fatigue, unexplained weight changes, irregular periods, skin issues (like acne), hair loss, low libido, sleep problems, digestive issues (constipation/diarrhea), temperature sensitivity, and brain fog, affecting metabolism, energy, and emotional regulation. Recognizing these signs, like persistent fatigue, heavy periods, or new-onset anxiety, helps prompt a doctor visit for diagnosis and treatment.
Common Hormones That Impact Energy Levels
The four Ps are problem solving, planning, prioritising and pacing. The aim is to think of the four Ps at the beginning of each day or week to help you manage your energy levels.
Exhaustion that doesn't let up might be a sign of:
Unhealthy eating habits can cause low energy levels in females. Junk foods that are high in processed sugars can cause your blood sugar to soar, then quickly crash. This up-and-down leaves you feeling sluggish and tired. In addition, eating too little can also cause a dip in blood sugar.
Symptoms of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia
Anaemia is where you have fewer red blood cells than normal or you have an abnormally low amount of a substance called haemoglobin in each red blood cell. General symptoms of anaemia may include: extreme tiredness (fatigue) lack of energy (lethargy)
Magnesium deficiency can cause: low appetite. nausea and vomiting. fatigue and weakness.
Self-help tips to fight tiredness
When estrogen is low, you may experience some or all of these physical symptoms:
Some of estrogen's effects include: Increasing the mood-altering chemical serotonin and the number of serotonin receptors in the brain. Modifying the production and the effects of endorphins, the "feel-good" chemicals in the brain. Protecting nerves from damage and possibly stimulating nerve growth.
Estrogen therapy may help lower your risk of some health conditions caused by low estrogen, such as osteoporosis, heart disease, dementia and mood changes.