I’m actually very fortunate in that my period is very light, with very few cramps or other aches, so I do count myself lucky.
However, in the week or so running up to it I’m just so tremendously tired. I just want to close my eyes, I struggle to drag myself up the stairs, I can’t get out of bed, I want to go to bed early etc - you get it - tired.
I’m in reasonable shape (I run and do various dance classes) and otherwise don’t have a problem with fatigue outside of that week and I eat quite well, I would say.
Is there anyone who has found any remedy for this tiredness aspect of menstruation? I tend to look upon vitamin and herbal supplements with some amount of suspicion, but we have a generally well-informed and not too woo-y crowd, so if anyone has found anything that helps, I would be grateful to hear about it.
Well, at a minimum I try to make sure I get a full night’s sleep, and if I can I nap. Unfortunately, I can’t often do that.
Have never found a remedy, though. And now that I’m getting old enough to not have to worry about cycling anymore I just plain don’t have as much energy as I used to in general.
Not a woman, so I have no experience here. But I’ve often wondered if taking more iron and/or B vitamins would help. The former due to hearing about problems with menstruation in those who are anemic, and the latter due to just aiding with energy while your body is doing some extra work.
Yes, they’re both supposed to help. Iron definitely helps if you have heavy periods like I do, but that’s due to being anemic, which shouldn’t be a problem if you have lighter ones.
Sarabellum1976, suppose a Tom Collins might work too? I’m not a big tonic fan, but Tom Collins might be nice to experiment with next month what with being August and the lemonade
Another vote for trying B vitamins. Iron might help some women, but it can also cause constipation (so just a warning). I used to just drink more coffee, which helped. Hey, I never said it was a *great *coping mechanism.
Also, I found that vodka Collins (or vodka tonic) works nicely to get rid of discomfort. A vodka Collins in a hot bath was even better.
As for the other advice, I will try and see if iron of vitamin B helps, but it’s not due to blood loss as the point where the fatigue occurs there isn’t any. In fact, when I actually start bleeding, I usually don’t feel tired anymore.
The point at which you start to bleed is the point at which your body isn’t putting out its iron reserves anymore. It has already built the uterine lining, you know?
Having said that, be aware that hemochromatosis is common and if you have it, you do *not *want to take iron supplements.
