A lack of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, particularly during perimenopause and menopause, often causes significant fatigue by disrupting sleep (due to hot flashes/night sweats) and affecting mood and energy-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin, leading to poor rest and daytime tiredness. Low estrogen impacts sleep quality by interfering with melatonin production, while declining progesterone can reduce calming effects, and fluctuating levels of both hormones disrupt the body's energy and mood balance.
Hormonal imbalances show up as symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, weight changes, irregular periods, skin issues (acne), hair changes, sleep problems, brain fog, low libido, digestive issues, and temperature sensitivity, affecting energy, body functions, and mental well-being, often linked to stress, thyroid, or reproductive hormones.
What are the symptoms of low estrogen levels?
For example, estrogen helps control cortisol, the stress hormone. When that regulation is weakened, the increased stress response can result in crushing fatigue. And feeling tired goes hand-in-hand with another common perimenopausal symptom””trouble sleeping.
A. Estrogen action in the hypothalamus in relation to energy balance. As women enter menopause, there is a decline in circulating estrogens. This is accompanied by alterations in energy homeostasis that result in increases in intraabdominal body fat (6).
Fluctuations or imbalances in estrogen and progesterone levels can lead to fatigue, particularly during menstruation or perimenopause and menopause. Testosterone: While often associated with men, testosterone is also present in women in smaller amounts and is essential for energy, libido, and muscle mass.
The four main "happiness hormones" (also neurotransmitters) are dopamine, responsible for reward and motivation; serotonin, a mood stabilizer linked to well-being; endorphins, natural pain relievers and euphoric agents; and oxytocin, known as the love or bonding hormone. These chemicals regulate mood, stress, pleasure, and social connection, and their levels can be influenced by lifestyle choices like exercise, diet, and social interaction.
Most of the time fatigue can be traced to one or more lifestyle issues, such as poor sleep habits or lack of exercise. Fatigue can be caused by a medicine or linked to depression. Sometimes fatigue is a symptom of an illness that needs treatment.
Feeling irritable, anxious, or unusually weepy? Estrogen helps regulate mood by influencing the production of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain. When estrogen is low, these feel-good chemicals are also affected. It can lead to mood swings, low energy, or heightened anxiety.
What are the signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalance?
Wrinkles: Fine lines appear more pronounced, especially around the eyes and mouth.. Sagging: Loss of firmness in the jawline and cheeks. Dullness: Your skin loses its natural radiance, appearing more lackluster.
Top 7 foods and remedies to boost estrogen
If you have low estrogen, you may experience symptoms including hot flashes and night sweats, mood swings, brain fog and memory problems, vaginal dryness, and more.
Here are some ways to naturally balance your hormones.
Listen to your body — it's trying to tell you something
Chemical messengers called neurotransmitters, which are in charge of sending impulses between nerve cells, are the main hormones linked to depression and sadness. In specifically, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin are three neurotransmitters that are vital.
Estradiol (E2) is the primary form of estrogen in your body during your reproductive years. It's the most potent form of estrogen. Estriol (E3) is the primary form of estrogen during pregnancy.
As serotonin is essential for sleep, not being able to use it can lead to poor quality of sleep. So, if you have low levels of estrogen, it may lead to poor or disrupted sleep, which makes you feel tired the next day. Low levels of estrogen occur when women hit menopause.
Here are six estrogen-positive foods to avoid:
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.
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.
Issues with specific organs could lead to severe fatigue. The thyroid, liver and brain are possible contributors, but heart and lung conditions are the most common cause. If this condition becomes serious, your doctor may recommend cardiac care or cardiopulmonary.
A dopamine imbalance can cause depression symptoms, such as apathy and feelings of hopelessness, while a serotonin imbalance can affect the processing of emotions.
Dopamine, the hormone responsible for making us feel good. If we are able to achieve our body shape or weight goals, this hormone will be produced in greater quantities.
Here are 9 signs your hormones may be out of whack: