Perimenopause and fatigue

Night sweats, hot flushes, anxiety and changing sleep patterns can leave you unrefreshed. Heavy or irregular periods may also contribute to tiredness, particularly if blood loss is substantial. Depression, thyroid problems, anaemia, sleep disorders, infection and medicine effects can cause similar symptoms, so fatigue should not automatically be attributed to perimenopause.

Notice whether your energy changes with sleep quality, bleeding, mood, pain or caffeine. Record when fatigue began and how it affects concentration, exercise, work and ordinary activities. These details help a clinician decide whether you need examination or tests.

Make an appointment if exhaustion persists, worsens, or affects safety and daily tasks. Keep a simple sleep and symptom diary, maintain regular food and fluids, and choose gentle activity within your limits. A consistent wind-down routine, a cool bedroom and limiting late caffeine may help when sleep disruption is part of the problem. Discuss heavy bleeding, mood symptoms and medicines rather than trying to manage every cause alone.

Seek urgent care for fatigue with chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, confusion, new weakness, or heavy bleeding causing dizziness. Arrange prompt assessment for unexplained weight change, fever, black stools, or rapidly worsening exhaustion.

Ask which causes should be considered, whether bleeding or sleep symptoms could explain your energy loss, whether tests are needed, and which treatment options fit your health history.