Many of us get into peri/menopause and feel totally exhausted. It is the kind of tired that feels like it comes out of the blue, like a blanket of fatigue that even if you are eating well, sleeping fine and doing all the right things, cutting back and resting more, you can be completely debilitated by.

So what is this and how to know if you are just tired from regular life in regular fatigue or if it is menopausal fatigue. And then what to do about it.

Menopausal fatigue differs from normal fatigue in several key aspects, primarily due to the hormonal changes that occur during menopause. Understanding these distinctions can help women better manage their symptoms and seek appropriate support. Here are some key differences:

1. Hormonal Imbalance: Menopausal fatigue is often linked to fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly oestrogen and progesterone. As women approach and transition through menopause, their ovaries produce fewer of these hormones, leading to hormonal imbalances that can contribute to fatigue. Normal fatigue, on the other hand, may be influenced by factors such as insufficient sleep, stress, or physical exertion, rather than hormonal changes. Really the important thing to note here is that even if you are getting good sleep and doing all the right things, menopausal fatigue is going to be really challenging to overcome just with a good night's sleep. Which leads to the second point...

2. Severity and Persistence: Menopausal fatigue tends to be more severe and persistent than normal fatigue. It may last for weeks or months and significantly impact daily functioning, making it difficult for women to perform routine tasks or engage in activities they enjoy. Normal fatigue, while still impactful, is often temporary and resolves with rest or lifestyle adjustments. In normal fatigue, you will probably only feel tired. Which leads to the next point.

3. Associated Symptoms: Menopausal fatigue is often accompanied by other menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating or brain fog. Perhaps you are also putting on weight or you have a change in appetite. These symptoms can exacerbate feelings of fatigue and contribute to overall discomfort. In contrast, normal fatigue may not be associated with specific menopausal symptoms and may occur in isolation or in response to specific triggers. Normal fatigue would also be unlikely to prevent you from sleeping to regain your good rest and restore the system.

4. Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep: One of the hallmarks of menopause is the insomnia, difficulty sleeping and also the difficulty in staying asleep during menopause. This can be for a range of reasons, being too hot, sweating too much, feeling anxious, or insomnia or challenges sleeping due to the hormonal profile changes. This differs greatly from normal fatigue which would rarely persist into these kinds of persistent and exacerbating fatigue markers.

5. Response to Treatment: Menopausal fatigue may require targeted interventions to address underlying hormonal imbalances and alleviate symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, and stress management techniques are commonly used to manage menopausal fatigue. Normal fatigue, on the other hand, may respond well to rest, relaxation, improved sleep hygiene, and adjustments in daily routine without the need for hormonal interventions.

6. Impact on Quality of Life: Menopausal fatigue can have a significant impact on women's quality of life, affecting their physical health, emotional well-being, and social functioning. It may lead to decreased productivity, mood disturbances, and disruptions in relationships. Normal fatigue, while still challenging, may have a lesser impact on overall quality of life and may be more easily managed with self-care strategies.

So when thinking about how tired you are, and assessing your own health, if you think you are suffering from menopausal fatigue, you can see this differs from normal fatigue in terms of its underlying hormonal causes, severity and persistence, associated symptoms, response to treatment, and impact on quality of life. Recognising these differences can help you advocate for yourself regarding what you might need for your own health and upholding that. When you are in consultation with healthcare providers having this information and knowing the difference between these two fatigues means that you can more effectively address and manage fatigue during the menopausal transition.