Why You Might Experience Fatigue Before Your Period

As part of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), people who menstruate may experience physical, mental, and emotional symptoms, including fatigue before their period. Those symptoms can range from dizziness or lightheadedness and cramping to anxiety, irritability, and fatigue—or feeling very tired.

There are some potential reasons why period-related fatigue may happen, such as hormone fluctuations. However, how tired people feel before their period varies individually, and, in some cases, may be due to an underlying health issue. Here's more about having fatigue before your period, including when to see a healthcare provider.

Is It Normal to Feel Fatigue Before Your Period?

Many people who menstruate report tiredness or fatigue as a symptom just before their period. Fatigue is among the most common PMS signs, along with bloating, breast sensitivity, cramping, and mood changes like anxiety, depression, and irritability.

Why Am I So Tired Before My Period?

The tiredness you feel before your period is related to how hormones like estrogen and progesterone fluctuate during the menstrual cycle. During the luteal phase—the second half of the menstrual cycle that starts after ovulation and ends on the first day of menstruation—estrogen levels decrease.

The drop in estrogen causes the brain to release a hormone called norepinephrine, which makes other levels of hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine, decrease. The collective decreased hormone levels ultimately may lead to fatigue, insomnia, and depression.

Treatment for Period Fatigue

There aren't any treatments specifically tailored to fatigue that's related to your period. Still, some options may help you deal with fatigue before your period and other PMS symptoms in general, such as:

• Eating healthy foods: You can help manage fatigue by enjoying balanced meals and staying hydrated by drinking enough water. It's also a good idea to limit or avoid caffeine, salt, and sugar a week or two before your period.
• Exercising regularly: Being physically active, even when you don't have your period, can be beneficial for reducing tiredness.
• Getting quality sleep: Sometimes you may feel fatigued from not getting enough sleep on top of hormonal changes. However, engaging in good sleep hygiene practices—like waking up and going to sleep at the same times daily—can help you get the sleep you need.
• Managing stress: Stress can also make you feel tired, so you'll want to find ways to decrease the stress you're experiencing. Different self-care methods can help reduce stress, like getting a massage, reading a book, or doing yoga.
• Trying vitamins or supplements: Some nutrients and supplements, such as those with calcium, may be helpful for fatigue. However, talk with a healthcare provider before taking supplements to determine if they're right for you. The FDA doesn't regulate the effectiveness of health claims made by dietary supplements, and supplements may have different effects for different people.

You can also monitor your cycle to determine if and when certain symptoms occur. Monitoring may help you determine if there's a pattern to your period-related fatigue.

When To Contact a Healthcare Provider

Talk with a healthcare provider or OB-GYN if you find that you are consistently having issues with fatigue—related to your period or not. You'll want to seek medical care if you experience extreme tiredness and:

• Blurred vision
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Little to no urine when you use the restroom
• Swelling and weight gain
• Thoughts of hurting yourself or suicide

Seeing a healthcare provider may also help rule out other reasons for your fatigue. Underlying causes for feeling fatigued include conditions such as:

• Anemia, including iron deficiency anemia
• Certain types of medications such as antidepressants
• Depression
• Iron deficiency without anemia
• Persistent pain
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
• Sleep disorders
• Thyroid problems, like hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism

Medical Treatment

There are various treatment options in cases where people have other causes for their fatigue beyond PMS. However, those treatments will vary depending on what the cause is. For example, treatment for PMDD may involve some of the same practices for PMS and prescription medication, while iron supplements can be recommended for people with anemia or iron deficiencies.

A Quick Review

It's normal to feel tired before your period starts, as fatigue is thought to be the result of hormone fluctuations. Physical activity, stress management, and healthy eating are just a few ways to help reduce fatigue. Talk to a healthcare provider if you experience fatigue frequently, beyond your period, or with other symptoms like confusion or swelling and changes in weight.