Fatigue that drains your energy while your period starts to freak out can quickly become difficult to ignore. Before or during menstruation, fatigue is one of the possible symptoms of the cycle and premenstrual syndrome. But when exhaustion becomes significant and periods become disrupted, stress, the thyroid or a combination of the two can come into play.
How can cortisol disrupt the body?
Faced with chronic stress, the body enters, depending on
Intiminain survival mode and secretes more cortisol. This increase can disrupt the functioning of the thyroid, slow down the production of certain hormones and promote lack of energy.
The mechanism described then forms a circle that is difficult to break: stress can weaken the functioning of the thyroid, while fatigue and exhaustion can in turn accentuate the feeling of stress. Elevated cortisol also increases the body’s energy expenditure.
When the body perceives a problematic situation, it favors the supply of blood glucose to functions considered vital, such as those of the brain, to the detriment of longer-term processes such as menstruation.
Intimina specifies that stress does not directly disrupt the menstrual cycle, but that it can have consequences on periods.
Long-lasting fatigue associated with irregular periods can also be one of the symptoms observed in thyroid disorders. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause fatigue and menstrual disturbances, although these symptoms alone do not lead to a diagnosis.
Irregular periods and fatigue, cycle changes to watch out for
A cycle that no longer resembles the one you knew can take many forms. Intimina cites blood loss between periods, longer cycles, more or less heavy flow than usual, absence of periods, an unpredictable cycle or even prolonged periods.
The absence of periods can have different causes and deserves an assessment outside of physiological situations such as pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopause. Stress, sports or travel can delay your period.
To find better habits during the cycle,
Intimina offers three avenues:
- Diet: eat at set times, eat vegetables and drink plenty of water. Also be vigilant about the variations in energy that can follow high sugar consumption;
- Physical activity: walking, stretching, dancing or practicing Kegel exercises allow you to move without having to aim for intensive sporting activity;
- Mental health: taking a few minutes to organize your thoughts, enjoying silence and practicing meditation can be among the actions suggested to better manage periods of stress.
Thyroid, fatigue and irregular periods, when to consult a doctor
Lifestyle advice does not replace a consultation when symptoms become difficult to manage.
Intimina recommends making an appointment with a gynecologist or GP if menstruation becomes unpredictable, discharge appears between periods or exhaustion becomes unmanageable.
A healthcare professional can investigate the cause of these symptoms. If hypothyroidism is suspected, the diagnosis is based on blood tests and remembers that fatigue and menstrual disorders can be part of the manifestations of this condition.
Staying attentive to changes in your cycle and to fatigue that does not go away with rest also allows you to better describe your symptoms during a consultation. When the periods change rhythm permanently or energy is lacking to the point of complicating daily life, medical advice remains the approach to follow.