Getting enough sleep should make you feel rested. When it doesn’t, there might be an underlying problem to address. In fact, persistent fatigue despite adequate rest often points to hormones rather than sleep habits.
At Modern Gynecology & Reproductive Health in Memphis, Tennessee, Susan Lacy, MD, FACOG, sees women who have tried everything to improve their energy levels — better sleep schedules, less caffeine, more exercise — without success.
When a hormonal malfunction is draining your energy, sleep alone won’t fix the problem. Here are some reasons why you may be feeling depleted, and how we can help restore the balance so you can feel rested again.
Your thyroid produces hormones that regulate metabolism and energy production in every cell. Hypothyroidism means your entire system operates at reduced capacity.
The condition develops slowly, with symptoms including:
Thyroid problems often appear during perimenopause or after pregnancy. The symptoms overlap with other hormonal changes, making them easy to miss or dismiss.
Thyroid problems aren’t the only metabolic issue that drains energy. Insulin resistance affects how your cells use glucose for fuel. When cells stop responding to insulin properly, glucose stays in your bloodstream rather than fueling cells with energy.
This may cause you to feel exhausted after eating when you should feel energized. Your body then produces excess insulin to compensate, which triggers the storage of abdominal fat.
Dr. Lacy frequently identifies insulin resistance in women of childbearing age who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), though it can develop at any age during hormonal transitions.
Both testosterone and estrogen influence far more than reproduction. They also regulate energy production, muscle strength, and mental clarity. Declining levels during perimenopause and menopause can cause chronic fatigue.
Estrogen affects sleep quality, body temperature regulation, and overall energy levels. Common symptoms include:
Poor sleep resulting from low estrogen also exacerbates the exhaustion caused by other hormonal changes.
Testosterone regulates muscle mass, physical endurance, and motivation in women. Symptoms of low testosterone include:
Exercise often feels harder when testosterone drops, creating another problem since physical activity helps regulate other hormones.
Your adrenal glands release the hormone cortisol in response to stress. Short bursts help you manage immediate challenges, but constant elevation from ongoing pressure eventually causes exhaustion.
High cortisol disrupts other hormones:
Women face unique challenges in managing stress. According to a recent survey from the American Psychological Association, women continuously report higher stress levels than men.
Part of the reason is how they process stress. While men tend to externalize stress — sometimes through impulsivity or aggression — women are more likely to hold it in.
Standard sleep advice doesn't address hormone-related fatigue. Dr. Lacy tests thyroid function, insulin sensitivity, sex hormone levels, and cortisol patterns to identify the cause.
Treatment depends on specific imbalances and may include:
The goal is restoring normal energy production, not relying on caffeine to function. If fatigue persists despite adequate sleep, hormone testing can identify the underlying cause.
Contact Modern Gynecology & Reproductive Health in Memphis, Tennessee, at 901-701-1777 or schedule online to discuss hormone evaluation with Dr. Lacy and our team.
