Why You Might Feel Tired All the Time and What Women Can Do About It

Do you often feel exhausted even after a full night’s sleep? You’re not alone. Many women, especially those juggling multiple roles and responsibilities, struggle with persistent fatigue that doesn’t seem to go away. But fatigue isn’t just “normal”, it’s a sign that something deeper might be going on in your body.

Let’s unpack some of the real reasons women feel tired all the time, from hormones and nutrients to lifestyle and underlying health issues, and what you can do to reclaim your energy.

Fatigue Is Common, But It’s Not Something to Just Accept

Feeling worn down sometimes is totally normal, long days, stressful weeks, busy seasons of life… we’ve all been there. But when low energy becomes your baseline, something in your body may be out of balance. In fact, research shows that fatigue affects a large portion of women more often than men, and sometimes at higher intensity.

This exhaustion can show up physically, mentally, or both, and it impacts everything from your productivity and mood to your relationships and joy.

1. Hidden Health Conditions That Sap Your Energy

Sometimes fatigue isn’t just “stress.” It can be a symptom of a deeper health issue. Things to explore with your clinician include:

Thyroid Imbalances

The thyroid influences metabolism and energy, and women are more likely than men to have thyroid disorders. Even subtle thyroid issues can leave you feeling tired and foggy.

Heart or Cardiovascular Concerns

Fatigue can be a silent sign of heart-related issues, especially for women in midlife or beyond. Because heart symptoms often look different in women than in men, exhaustion shouldn’t be brushed off.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

This condition causes long-lasting, life-changing fatigue and often hides in plain sight. If your exhaustion is extreme and not explained by sleep or stress alone, it’s worth a deeper look.

Sleep Disorders

Sleep problems like insomnia or sleep apnea can dramatically undermine your energy, even if you think you’re getting enough sleep.

2. Hormones: The Invisible Energy Regulators

Your hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone, change throughout your life, and they influence your energy more than most people realize.

During Your Cycle

In the week before your period, changes in progesterone can make you feel sluggish and less energetic.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS often coexists with fatigue, partly because it’s linked with sleep problems and insulin resistance, meaning your body struggles to turn food into usable energy.

Endometriosis

This inflammatory condition can cause ongoing tiredness, partly related to pain, insomnia, and the body’s stress response.

Perimenopause & Menopause

As estrogen and other hormones fluctuate during this transition, fatigue often increases alongside night sweats, disrupted sleep, and stress, making low energy more noticeable.

3. Nutrition and Micronutrient Gaps That Drag You Down

Your body needs a steady supply of vitamins and minerals to make energy. Here are some common nutrient shortfalls that show up as fatigue:

• Iron deficiency: A leading cause of exhaustion, especially for people with heavy periods.

• Low Vitamin D levels: This “sunshine vitamin” supports energy and mood.

• Low Vitamin B12 levels: Common in people who have trouble absorbing nutrients, or those on certain diets.

• Magnesium deficiency: A silent fatigue driver linked with muscle weakness and poor sleep.

If these nutrients are low, your body literally can’t make energy efficiently, so even good sleep might not help.

4. Mental Health and Stress Play a Big Role

Mood and energy are deeply connected. Conditions like chronic stress, anxiety, and depression can physically tire you out, not just emotionally. Stress hormones like cortisol can keep you feeling “tired but wired,” unable to sleep well or recover.

5. Lifestyle Habits That Make a Bigger Difference Than You Think

Even things that seem small can impact energy levels:

• Poor sleep quality: not just sleep quantity, leaves your body without real restoration.

• Not moving enough: regular activity boosts energy more than sitting all day.

• Smoking and alcohol use: both can sap energy and disrupt sleep.

These are all changeable, and improving them often boosts energy significantly.

Feeling Tired Isn’t “Just Life”. There’s Usually a Cause

The first step to beating fatigue is understanding why you feel tired. Sometimes it’s a medical issue, sometimes it’s a hormone imbalance, nutrient gap, or lifestyle pattern and often it’s a mix of several factors.

If persistent tiredness is affecting your life, a naturopathic doctor can help you dig into what your body truly needs. From deeper lab tests to nutrition, sleep coaching, and personalized care plans, there is a way to get your energy back.