Menopause and fatigue: extreme, why, what treatment?

The menopause is a physiological phenomenon that occurs in women between 45 and 55 years old. It is due to the aging of the ovarian follicles, which leads to the cessation of ovulation and therefore of the menstrual cycles. The menopause is confirmed after 12 consecutive months of no menstrual period. The hormonal upheaval and accompanying symptoms can cause fatigue.

Is fatigue a real symptom of menopause?

“Fatigue is not part of the so-called climacteric signs (direct signs) of menopause. It can be a consequence or a concomitance, but not a sign as such”, immediately declares Dr. Odile Bagot, gynecologist. When symptoms of menopause or premenopause occur (hot flashes, headaches, breast tenderness, sleep disturbances), the fatigue felt can actually be attributed to menopause.

Where does this intense fatigue come from during menopause?

Often, the fatigue that occurs during menopause results from different factors:

• the aging : when you get older, you get tired more quickly for less effort.
• From sleeping troubles : Hot flashes can disturb sleep and therefore lead to fatigue.
• From mood disorders : the line between depression and fatigue is thin.
• Some pathologieseven distant aftermath of chemotherapy, can lead to fatigue for a long time.

Muscular fatigue and menopause: normal, what to do?

“The muscle fatigue felt during menopause is linked to age: the older you get, the greater the loss of muscle mass, it is a physiological phenomenon” explains the gynecologist. Indeed, two components are necessary to build muscle: a protein and amino acid intake, and the practice of regular physical activity. However, physical activity is often less during this period of life. Moreover, the splanchnic uptake of amino acids will aggravate this process. “Concretely, this means that with age, the proteins, instead of going to the muscles, will be directed to the vital organs : brain, lungs, liver, spleen, heart and kidneys. As a result, we will be in protein deficit and catabolism (loss of muscle) will be greater than anabolism (production of muscle)” she continues. In other words, to the extent that there are fewer muscles, muscle fatigue is felt more quickly.

Fatigue and dizziness: normal, what to do?

“Dizziness is not a specific symptom of menopause. On the other hand, with menopause and age, it is possible to have hypertension which can manifest as dizziness, and vascular pathologies. Menopause increases the vascular risk, the vessels are more rigid, narrower, which can promote the appearance of dizziness”says the specialist.

What treatments?

To fight against the fatigue linked to the menopause, it is necessary to relieve the symptoms at the origin of this fatigue. In other words, to adopt a healthy lifestyle and to do everything possible to regain quality sleep, a sine qua non for having renewed energy. To achieve this, here are some recommendations:

• limit the consumption of exciting drinks (tea, coffee, cola),
• eat at least two hours before going to bed,
• turn off the screens three hours before,
• to relax,
• don’t fight at the slightest sign of sleep.

If, despite everything, the symptoms and fatigue do not stop, a consultation is necessary. Hormone treatment for menopause (THM) may be prescribed.

What natural treatments?

To fight against fatigue, it is essential to adapt your lifestyle to your physical and vital capacities. “You should not want to do more than you are capable of. On the other hand, you must continue to exercise to maintain breathing and muscle capacity. Ultimately, it is necessary to do both dynamic and static muscular work, and respiratory work. What is certain is that the less we do, the less we will do, the more we will be tired” advises our interlocutor.

Thanks to Dr. Odile Bagot, gynecologist, author of “Endocrine disruptors, war is declared!” at Mango editions. She enriches her Facebook page every week with Mam Gyneco a new article or video.