Persistent Fatigue in Women: Causes & When to Seek Care
Feeling tired after a busy day or a poor night's sleep is common. But if you feel exhausted most days, struggle to get through your usual activities, or wake up feeling like you never fully rested, it may be time to pay attention.
Persistent fatigue is not simply something you have to accept as you get older. Changes in sleep, menopause, stress, medications, and your overall health can all affect your energy.
If your energy feels different from what is normal for you, talking with a healthcare provider can help you better understand what may be contributing and what you can do about it.
Is Feeling Tired All the Time a Normal Part of Aging?
While your energy may change over time, feeling tired all the time is not considered a normal part of aging.
You know your body best. If fatigue is getting in the way of your daily life or you simply do not feel like yourself, it is worth bringing up with your healthcare provider.
Consider scheduling an appointment if your fatigue:
- Lasts for several weeks
- Makes it harder to exercise, run errands, work, or enjoy time with family and friends
- Feels different from your usual energy level
- Does not improve with rest
- Happens along with other changes, such as shortness of breath, mood changes, or unexplained weight changes
Keeping track of when your fatigue started, what seems to make it better or worse, and any other symptoms you notice can help your provider better understand the full picture.
Why Am I Always Tired? Common Causes of Fatigue in Women
Fatigue is often caused by more than one factor. Your sleep, hormones, medications, emotional well-being, and overall health all play a role in how you feel each day.
Poor Sleep
It is not only how long you sleep. It is also how well you sleep.
Insomnia, chronic pain, nighttime trips to the bathroom, restless legs syndrome, and sleep apnea can all leave you feeling tired, even after spending enough time in bed.
If you snore, wake up frequently during the night, or often have morning headaches, it may be worth talking with your provider about your sleep.
Menopause and Hormonal Changes
Changes in estrogen and progesterone can affect your body's ability to regulate temperature and get restful sleep.
Hot flashes, night sweats, and difficulty falling or staying asleep can add up over time, leaving you feeling tired the next day.
Stress, Grief, Anxiety, or Depression
Your emotional health and physical health are closely connected.
Caregiving, grief, loneliness, financial stress, anxiety, depression, and other major life changes can affect your sleep, concentration, motivation, and energy.
Medication Side Effects
Some prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements can contribute to daytime sleepiness or fatigue.
Bringing an updated list of everything you take to your appointment can help your provider look for possible side effects or interactions.
Chronic Health Conditions
Sometimes fatigue is your body's way of telling you something needs attention.
Health conditions such as anemia, thyroid disease, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, chronic pain, and nutritional deficiencies can all affect your energy.
Your primary care provider can help connect the dots between your symptoms, medical history, medications, and any testing that may be needed.
Seek emergency medical care if fatigue comes on suddenly or is accompanied by chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, new confusion, sudden weakness, or difficulty speaking.
What If My Bloodwork Is Normal, but I Am Still Tired?
Normal bloodwork can rule out some causes of fatigue, but it does not always explain why you feel tired.
Sleep quality, stress, pain, medications, nutrition, and emotional well-being can all affect your energy without showing up on routine lab work.
Understanding fatigue sometimes takes time, especially when several factors are involved. Tracking your symptoms and talking openly with your healthcare provider can help identify patterns and determine the best next steps.
When Should You Talk With a Healthcare Provider About Fatigue?
If your energy has changed and it is affecting your daily life, you do not have to figure it out on your own.
At Herself Health, we believe women deserve to feel heard when something changes.
Our care teams take a whole-person approach to understanding fatigue. We look beyond a single symptom or test result to understand your health history, medications, sleep, emotional well-being, lifestyle, and any other factors that could be affecting your energy.
Together, we'll work with you to better understand what is causing your fatigue and create a plan that supports your health, your goals, and your daily life.
Primary Care for Women in the Twin Cities
If you are experiencing persistent fatigue, our care teams are here to help.
Herself Health provides primary care designed for women at five convenient locations throughout the Twin Cities area.
- Rosedale: Located near Rosedale Marketplace, our Rosedale clinic provides personalized primary care for women.
- Lyndale: Our Lyndale clinic is located near West 55th Street and Lyndale Avenue South and offers comprehensive primary care focused on women's health.
- Crystal: Located near Douglas Drive North and West Broadway, our Crystal clinic provides primary care in a welcoming, supportive environment.
- Highland Park: Our Highland Park clinic is located within the Highland Center near Ford Parkway and offers primary care designed around women's health needs.
- Eagan: Located near Rahncliff Road and Cliff Road, our Eagan clinic provides convenient access to personalized primary care for women.
Ready to learn what may be causing your fatigue? Schedule an appointment with a Herself Health provider today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fatigue
Is feeling tired all the time a normal part of aging?
No. While your energy may change as you age, ongoing fatigue that affects your daily life is worth discussing with a healthcare provider.
Why am I tired even though my bloodwork is normal?
Routine bloodwork does not always identify every cause of fatigue. Sleep, stress, medications, pain, nutrition, hormonal changes, and emotional well-being can all contribute to low energy.
What can cause fatigue in women?
Common causes include poor sleep, menopause, stress, anxiety, depression, medication side effects, thyroid conditions, anemia, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic health conditions.
When should I see a healthcare provider about fatigue?
Talk with your provider if fatigue lasts for several weeks, does not improve with rest, feels different from your usual energy level, or makes it harder to do the things you enjoy.