Ovulation Fatigue: Does Ovulation Make You Tired
Ovulation is one of the menstrual cycle phases that occurs fourteen days before the bleeding phase.
The process occurs when a mature egg is released from one of the ovaries and awaits sperm in the fallopian tube for fertilization.
Ovulation may show many symptoms, including abdominal pain and spotting. For many women, it can also cause fatigue.
As per Better Health, almost 40% of women experience pain during ovulation, and many women also complain about the consistent feeling of tiredness and fatigue.
The cause of experiencing fatigue and tiredness can be related to hormonal changes at the time of ovulation and subside within a few days.
However, persistent fatigue and low energy levels over a few days can be challenging and disrupt daily functioning, requiring medical attention.
This comprehensive article elaborates on ovulation fatigue, its causes, risk factors, and managing tips to stay active.
Can ovulation cause fatigue
Yes, ovulation can cause many symptoms, and fatigue is one of them.
There are repeated events in a woman’s life when she may feel extremely drained, with less or without energy, and face disruptions in managing daily tasks due to fatigue.
The journal Brain, Behavior, & Immunity-Health in 2021 dissected fatigue as a prevalent and potentially debilitating symptom that impacts the health-related quality of life.
However, when compared between the various phases of the menstrual cycle, the degree of fatigue showed variable results.
The Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research 2017 studied the variation in musculoskeletal strength and fatigue levels during a woman’s menstrual cycle.
According to this research, fatigue peaks during the menstrual phase rather than during the follicular and luteal phases.
Fortunately, fatigue during ovulation is not persistent and can subside or disappear after the completion of the ovulation.
Menstruation: When a woman bleeds
Follicular phase: Production of follicles on the surface of the ovary, which starts on the first day of the period and lasts for the next 13 or 14 days
Ovulation: When an egg is released from the ovary
Luteal phase: After ovulation, cells of the ovary release hormones that thicken the uterine lining
Is fatigue normal during ovulation
Yes, fatigue during ovulation is normal in many women due to hormonal changes, which can affect the daily functioning of a woman’s body.
However, the extent of fatigue and duration can vary from person to person.
Furthermore, regular fatigue can also be associated with health problems, such as Anemia, that need medical attention and treatment.
Therefore, if fatigue or dizziness during ovulation disrupts daily activities, consult a healthcare practitioner and seek medical treatment.
Ovulation fatigue symptoms
Ovulation can cause a variety of symptoms, including fatigue and tiredness before, during, and after ovulation.
The symptoms can include extreme tiredness, fatigue, and dizziness around ovulation.
Some women may also experience nausea during ovulation fatigue due to hormonal shifts and changes in their physiological functions.
How ovulation causes fatigue
The following reasons explain how ovulation causes fatigue:
Progesterone
Progesterone levels peak during the luteal phase, just after ovulation.
There are the changes during this phase that account for fatigue in women:
- High Progesterone increases resting heart rate and decreases aerobic capacity and heat tolerance
- The body burns more fat as gluconeogenesis, i.e., synthesizing glucose or sugar from fat and protein, is suppressed
- It can also lead to headaches and fatigue
- Increase in metabolism, and therefore, appetite
Estrogen
Dips in Estrogen levels can lead to potential causes of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
Both PMS and PMDD can increase fatigue in women, along with changes in sleep and eating habits, which further elevates tiredness.
Mood changes
According to a 2017 journal, around 75% to 80% of women in their reproductive age experience psychological and physiological symptoms during the menstrual cycle.
The psychological symptoms involve mood swings, including anger, anxiety, irritability, Depression, etc.
These symptoms can affect the sleep quality of life and, thus, can cause fatigue during ovulation.
Sleep disturbances
According to the Sleep Foundation, Progesterone levels increase after ovulation.
The increase in Progesterone can raise the body temperature and lead to sleep disturbances or fragmented sleep patterns.
Therefore, it may cause daytime sleepiness in women and nighttime drowsiness and fatigue.
The physical pain or ovulation cramps
Many women experience ovulation pain, also called Mittelschmerz, during ovulation, and it may affect 40% of women of reproductive age.
Mittelschmerz can cause lower abdominal pain in women, including in the region of the rectum, ovary, uterus, and cervix.
The pain can also affect a woman’s daily activities and cause fatigue and less productivity.
Other factors
The other factors that can lead to fatigue in women include:
- Anemia: Heavy periods can cause a deficiency of iron and lead to Anemia. It can cause extreme fatigue in women during ovulation and other phases of the menstrual cycle
- PCOS: As per a 2018 report, sleep disturbances and disorders, such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea, are more common in women with PCOS. Also, fatigue is a common complaint in women with PCOS
- Thyroid problems: In women with Hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid, experiencing tiredness and fatigue are among the various symptoms
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): It may cause extreme fatigue and tiredness that can last for at least six months
Factors contributing to fatigue during ovulation
Many factors that can contribute to fatigue during ovulation include:
- Stress
- Poor sleep
- Lack of exercise and meditation
- Anxiety and Depression
- Poor stress management
- Less water intake
- Side effects of certain medications
Other symptoms of ovulation
There are many symptoms of ovulation through which a woman can distinguish normal fatigue from the fatigue caused by ovulation.
Some of the symptoms are as follows:
- Changes in body temperature
- Light spotting
- Changes in mucus
- Cervical firmness changes
- Breast tenderness
- Abdominal bloating
- Cramps in the lower abdomen
Ovulation fatigue treatment
There are many ways to stop fatigue during ovulation, including:
- Eat healthy foods: Eat healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean meat, wholegrain foods, and low-dairy products to stop fatigue. Also, reduce the amount of high-fat, sugars, and salt in food
- Exercise: Do moderate to vigorous exercise to stay energetic throughout the day and feel less tired
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water
- Sleep management: Sleep management is a perfect antidote for fatigue and lethargy. Sleep for 7 to 8 hours and feel fresh to perform daily activities
- Say no to caffeine: Caffeine can make you stay awake longer, leading to fatigue. Cut off caffeinated products
- Stress management: Manage stress with yoga and meditation
- Medications: Some medications can also lead to tiredness or dizziness as side effects. Consult a healthcare practitioner and update the dosage to stop fatigue
These effective ways can help women stop ovulation fatigue and manage their daily activities to increase productivity.
Further, it is recommended to consult a healthcare practitioner to diagnose a woman’s health completely if it remains for more than a few weeks.
Conclusion
Ovulation fatigue is a feeling of weariness or exhaustion that a woman experiences during the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle.
It is a normal phenomenon and can subside after the completion of the ovulatory phase.
Ovulation fatigue may cause tiredness, nausea, and extreme dizziness around ovulation.
There can be various causes of fatigue during ovulation, including hormonal changes, mood changes, sleep disturbances, and ovulation cramps.
Some other factors like Anemia, PCOS, thyroid problems, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can lead to fatigue during ovulation.
Further, the risk factors that contribute to ovulation fatigue include anxiety and Depression, less water intake, stress, poor sleep, and side effects of medications.
In addition to fatigue, ovulation can cause other symptoms, such as changes in basal body temperature, mucus changes, light spotting, and abdominal cramps.
Fortunately, ovulation fatigue treatment effectively overcame tiredness with exercise, a healthy diet, hydrated sleep, and stress management.
Further, consult a healthcare practitioner and seek medical attention if tiredness remains for over a few weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I feel dizzy when I ovulate?
You feel dizzy or tired when you ovulate due to hormonal changes. The levels of female hormones change during ovulation and just after releasing an egg. As these hormones play a vital role in various functions, changes in their levels can cause extreme fatigue during ovulation.
Can ovulation make you dizzy?
Ovulation can cause dizziness and fatigue as a symptom. It can cause weariness, tiredness, or exhaustion during ovulation and impact the daily activities of some women. You can eat healthy, exercise daily, stay hydrated, cut caffeinated products, and sleep properly to overcome ovulation fatigue.
How do you overcome ovulation fatigue?
You can overcome fatigue and dizziness during ovulation with easy tips. Eat a healthy diet with fruits, vegetables, wholegrain foods, and low-dairy products. Exercise regularly and practice yoga and meditation for physical strength and stress management. Further, stay hydrated and replenish your water needs.
Is fatigue normal during ovulation?
Like the other ovulation symptoms, fatigue is normal during ovulation. It affects many women at the reproductive age, and the tiredness can subsite after the completion of the ovulatory period. However, if the tiredness persists for weeks, consult a healthcare practitioner and seek treatment.
WowRx uses only high-quality sources while writing our articles. Please read our content information policy to know more about how we keep our content reliable and trustworthy.
