Your hormones are chemicals that play a key role in controlling your body’s processes — for example, your body temperature and heart rate.
If these powerful chemicals are out of balance, even by a small amount, they can cause a wide range of symptoms. This includes feeling tired and having trouble sleeping.
Thyroid hormones and energy
Your thyroid gland produces hormones that help control your metabolism. If you don’t make enough of these hormones it’s called an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). If you make too much of these hormones it’s called an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
If your thyroid is underactive your bodily processes start to “slow down” and you might feel tired, have memory problems, and feel depressed.
While if your thyroid is overactive you might feel restless, anxious, and have trouble switching off causing sleep problems.
You can measure your thyroid function by using a home blood test or through your GP.
Estrogen and energy
Having the right balance of estrogen is thought to help maintain good energy levels. So if your estrogen levels are low, which can happen for a wide range of reasons, you might feel tired.
Estrogen and a monthly cycle
Estrogen levels fluctuate throughout a woman’s monthly cycle. In the first two weeks of a cycle, estrogen levels increase and this is associated with higher energy levels.
In the third week of the cycle, estrogen levels drop so it’s associated with lower energy levels.
The most common causes of low estrogen levels in women include:
- exercising too much;
- not eating enough — including eating disorders like anorexia;
- early menopause (premature ovarian failure);
- medical conditions — for example, chronic kidney disease (CKD) or Turner syndrome.
Estrogen and menopause
As a woman ages and approaches menopause, her estrogen levels naturally decrease. So it’s very common to experience tiredness and fatigue at this time. Mood swings, headaches, and finding it hard to concentrate are also common menopausal symptoms.
Progesterone and energy
Progesterone is better known for supporting pregnancy. However, it also promotes sleep which is why it’s sometimes called a ‘sleepy hormone’.
It does this by stimulating the brain to produce a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) — which helps to ‘switch off’ and sleep.
A woman’s progesterone levels can fluctuate a lot, affecting her sleep and energy levels.
Progesterone and a monthly cycle
Progesterone levels are usually highest in week three of the cycle — meaning more GABA is produced. This can make a woman feel more tired. However, she might notice that she’s sleeping better which can boost her energy levels.
In week four of the cycle, progesterone levels fall. This means less GABA is produced and she might have trouble sleeping, leading to tiredness.
Progesterone and menopause
As a woman ages and approaches menopause, her progesterone levels naturally decrease. This is another reason why it’s so common to experience tiredness and sleep problems during this time.
Testosterone and energy
Testosterone is often called a “male” hormone. But it’s also really important for women’s health — they just produce it in much lower amounts.
If your testosterone levels are low it can cause extreme tiredness and fatigue. This is largely because testosterone is needed to produce red blood cells — this helps carry oxygen around your body which is important for energy.
Your testosterone levels naturally drop with age. Low testosterone in women can also be caused by the pill (oral contraception) or issues with their ovaries.
Cortisol and energy
Cortisol is a hormone that plays a really important role in helping your body cope with stress.
Unfortunately, we now live in an environment where it’s common to feel stressed a lot. This leads to high cortisol levels which can cause difficulty sleeping, tiredness, poor concentration, and irritability.
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