As you enter menopause, your body starts to undergo changes caused by hormone level fluctuations. You may start to experience symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and insomnia.
Fatigue is also a common symptom of menopause, and it can interfere with your normal day-to-day activities. But there are ways you can boost your energy levels and beat menopausal fatigue.
Does menopause cause fatigue?
Studies on menopausal symptoms show that there is a link between menopause and fatigue. In fact, medical researchers have linked early menopause to a condition called chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a condition that commonly affects women with menstrual disorders and endometriosis.
Most women don't experience CFS, but a majority do experience severe fatigue during menopause.
So does menopause cause fatigue? Yes, it does. But how can you tell whether you are experiencing menopausal fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome?
In general, women go through menopause when they are between 45 and 55 years old. Women who experience menopause before age 45 are in early menopause. Some studies showed that women with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are more likely to have early or premature menopause, as well as other gynecological disorders.
CFS is a serious disorder which can be diagnosed by ruling out other health conditions. It is suspected if the condition lasts more than 4 months. Also, keep in mind that CFS is much more severe than menopausal fatigue.
If you are older than 45, you may notice some changes in your body like absent or irregular periods, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness. These are some indicators that you are approaching menopause.
There are three stages of menopause: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. During all stages, you may experience menopausal fatigue, which is less severe than CFS.
As you transition through these stages of menopause, you may experience varying symptoms due to hormonal changes, including fatigue. Most of the symptoms are manageable with treatment and therapy.
When you get to the postmenopausal stage, most women’s symptoms will start to diminish gradually. But that’s not the case for everyone. If the symptoms are disturbing it’s a good idea to see the doctor and to discuss how to cope with it.
How long does menopausal fatigue last?
According to medical experts, you can expect to experience menopausal fatigue and other symptoms over the duration of your menopausal transition. This can last eight years or more.
Menopausal transitions normally last about seven or eight years, but they can also go on for as much as 14 years.