THE MENOPAUSE SURVIVAL GUIDE...FOR MEN
Let’s Explore Menopausal Fatigue:
Fatigue, or extreme tiredness and lack of energy, is a prevalent complaint among menopausal women, affecting their physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being.
It can manifest as persistent feelings of exhaustion, lethargy, and weakness, making it challenging to perform daily activities, concentrate, and maintain motivation.
You may have noticed that a lot of the previous symptoms we’ve discussed interfere with sleep. So, they are obviously going to contribute to overall fatigue. In fact, many of the symptoms overlap to exacerbate other symptoms.
Imagine having all of these things happening to you at once. I’m sure that you can now understand that it is extremely unpleasant for your partner to go through all of this.
What’s Causing Fatigue?
Declining estrogen levels during menopause can lead to fluctuations in energy levels and increased susceptibility to fatigue.
Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, sleep fragmentation, and night sweats can significantly contribute to fatigue and daytime sleepiness.
Psychosocial factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, and life transitions can exacerbate fatigue, further compromising her energy levels and overall well-being.
Fatigue can have a profound impact on a woman's quality of life, affecting her ability to perform daily activities, engage in social interactions, and pursue personal interests and hobbies. Chronic fatigue can lead to feelings of frustration, irritability, and isolation, further exacerbating emotional distress and impairing overall functioning.
Here Are Some Srategies To Try:
Encourage Rest and Relaxation:
Encourage your partner to prioritize rest and relaxation to replenish her energy reserves. Try and establish a regular sleep schedule, practicing relaxation techniques, and incorporating stress-reducing activities into her daily routine, such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises.
Promote Healthy Lifestyle Habits:
Encourage your partner to adopt healthy lifestyle habits that support energy levels and overall well-being, such as regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, hydration, and stress management techniques. Help her identify potential triggers or exacerbating factors for fatigue and explore strategies to address them effectively. I found it extremely hard to motivate my partner to do any kind of physical activity. She barely had any energy left caring for her ten year old and having a full-time job.
Provide Practical Support:
Offer practical support and assistance to help alleviate your partner's workload and reduce stress levels. Help with household chores, childcare responsibilities, or errands to lighten her burden and create space for rest and self-care. Show understanding and flexibility in adjusting expectations and responsibilities to accommodate her energy levels and needs.
We didn’t live together and I would often go over to her flat and the place would be a tip. Dishes stacked up, Hoovering not done. Washed clothes that needed to be hung up. I made a point to notice what she was struggling with and help her out. If she was having a bath, she’d come out to find that I’d been through the house and given it a good going over. She REALLY appreciated little things like this. It’s a fantastic way to show that you understand what she is going through and that you love her.
Seek Medical Evaluation:
Encourage your partner to seek medical evaluation if fatigue persists or significantly impacts her daily functioning and quality of life. A healthcare provider can assess potential underlying causes of fatigue, such as thyroid disorders, anemia, or vitamin deficiencies, and recommend appropriate interventions or treatments to address them.
I remember my partner turning to me and saying “I can’t do this any more”. She then explained that she was tired of pretending that everything was alright, and that she was constantly tired and depressed. The doctor initially prescribed her anti-depressants, which made her feel worse (they will make you feel lower than you already are for the first few weeks). This was a mistake on the doctor’s part as not only did it kill what little libido she had left as she struggled to orgasm, but it was also the wrong diagnosis.
They should have realised that after her operation, she would need HRT. Be very wary if the doctor starts prescribing anti-depressants. Like I said, it can make her feel much worse in the first few weeks, and it isn’t solving the core problem, which is a lack of hormones. They can help in some women, but be sure to recommend to your partner that she gives it serious consideration. I will go into supplements in more detail in another Chapter.
Next, we’ll take a look at Brain Fog during menopause.