We all have those days where we’re just a bit off. Or maybe you just slept extremely horrible. Or you have a bizarre stomachache. Or your menstruation is just all over the place. But these symptoms remain? Some of the most common health issues women face are fatigue, irregular periods and unexplained pain. These may seem like small inconveniences, or something you can easily push through, but they could be signs that your body is trying to tell you something crucial. But don’t write off these symptoms because of this:
Fatigue When Tired Is More Than Tired
Let’s be honest. As women, we are used to weariness. Job, family or leisure time tiredness is almost inevitable. But if you are always tired and the tiredness seems to get worse instead of better with rest, it could be a health problem. If you’re always tired no matter how much sleep you get, it’s time to dig a little deeper.
What could be making you tired?
Anemia. Anemia is one of the most common explanations for unexplained fatigue in women. This happens when your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen across the body and you could feel weak and exhausted. Women, especially those with heavy periods, are at a greater risk of anemia (American Heart Association, 2024).
Thyroid Problems. Fatigue can be caused by hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Hypothyroidism is commonly associated with weight gain, depression, and sluggishness. Hyperthyroidism is often associated with a rapid heartbeat, insomnia, and irritability (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
Sleep Apnea Do you feel exhausted after a full night’s sleep? “It could be sleeping apnea which is where you stop and start breathing as you sleep and this impairs your sleep. If you’re getting 7-9 hours of sleep and still waking up tired, it’s time to consider an assessment (American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2023).
If you are always weary don’t just blame stress or hectic life. Talk to your doctor who can run tests to be sure there are no health concerns causing this.
Irregular Cycles: What Your Period Really Means
Life happens, it’s normal to have an irregular period now and again. But if your periods start to go wacky or you have other bizarre symptoms, it could be a sign of something more serious. The good news is that irregular periods don’t have to be something you just learn to deal with. Now what could be the cause of them?
Causes of Irregular Periods:
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) PCOS is a common hormonal illness that affects women and causes irregular periods, weight gain and increased hair growth. It is a prevalent cause of late, missed, or very heavy periods (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 2023).
Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue that is like the lining of the uterus (endometrial tissue) grows outside of the uterus. It can cause heavy bleeding, painful periods and pain during intercourse. Endometriosis can affect fertility, thus early diagnosis and treatment are important (American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2023).
Thyroid Imbalance: An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) may be the culprit behind heavy or irregular periods. Thyroid issues can also lead to weight gain, dry skin and constant weariness (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
Perimenopause It is normal to have irregular periods when hormone levels change when women enter the years before menopause. This is a normal process, but you should still be aware of any changes to your menstrual cycle (American Pregnancy Association, 2023).
If you have irregular periods or any other symptoms such as severe pain or heavy bleeding, see your doctor. A pelvic exam or ultrasound can be helpful to find out what is causing it.
Mysterious Pain: Pay Attention to Your Body
We all have pain, whether it be from working out too hard, an accident or simply anxiety. But pain can last a long time or be hard to convey. And that’s a red flag.” You can’t not see that.” You have something wrong with your body.
Endometriosis: Women with endometriosis usually have plenty of pelvic pain, especially during their periods. But the pain can migrate to the lower back or legs outside the pelvis. If you are experiencing severe or chronic pelvic discomfort, therapy is needed because this condition could lead to infertility (American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2023).
Ovarian cysts: Fluid-filled sacs that form on the ovaries. Most cysts do not cause any symptoms, but some might cause severe pelvic pain, bloating or pain during intercourse. Know to report any ongoing pain in the lower abdomen (American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2023).
Fibroids Uterine fibroids are benign growths in the uterus that cause pelvic pain, heavy periods and back pain. If fibroids are not treated, they can cause problems, thus it is important to get them evaluated by a doctor (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
Heart Disease Women may not experience the typical chest pain related to heart disease. Or they might feel pain in their back, jaw or stomach. If you suffer atypical pain, especially with exercise, get medical care promptly (American Heart Association, 2024).
If you have discomfort that you cannot explain or that does not go away, be sure to check with your health care practitioner. Diseases such as endometriosis, fibroids or even heart problems are best treated early.
Don’t Ignore These Signs
These symptoms might be easy to notice, especially when life gets busy. However, failing to heed danger flags such as persistent fatigue, abnormal menstrual cycles, or unexplained aches and pains can have serious health consequences. Hormonal imbalance, cardiovascular disease or something else, early detection and treatment can make the difference.
So now what:
See a doctor: Don’t wait for symptoms to go away. Schedule an appointment with your health care professional about the issue.
Keep a symptom record so your doctor can look for patterns or causes.
Take Control of Your Health – Taking a proactive approach to your health can help avoid long term challenges and lead a higher quality life.
Conclusion
Women should pay attention to symptoms such as tiredness, irregular periods and unexplained pain. They may appear harmless or transient, but they may also be signs of more substantial health concerns that need medical treatment. “Women need to pay attention to their health and listen to their bodies and talk to the pros when there are problems.” This way you can avoid long term problems and take charge of your health.
References
American Academy of Sleep Medicine. (2023). Sleep apnea and high blood pressure. Retrieved from https://www.sleepapnea.org
American Heart Association. (2024). Blood pressure and lifestyle changes. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2023). Endometriosis: Symptoms and treatment. Retrieved from https://www.acog.org
American Pregnancy Association. (2023). Pregnancy and irregular periods. Retrieved from https://www.americanpregnancy.org