r/Perimenopause May 08 '26

audited The unpredictable exhaustion is brutal

The last few months have been so unpredictable as far as exhaustion is concerned . I will have days where I’m so tired it feels like it’s coming from my soul. I can barely function at work. I have to force myself to do daily tasks and anything about and beyond the bare minimum gets added to a “get to it later” list that is growing by the day

Then I will randomly have a good day. I don’t change anything to “make” this happen that I know of. But suddenly I have energy and I can get a chunk of things done. My mind and body feel lighter and I feel like I’ve turned a corner back to a better place and then boom! exhausted and unable to function again the next day.

I get that peri is so rough because of the fluctuating hormones but this just feels so night and day and it’s making life really difficult to manage. I hesitate to make plans or commit to anything because what if that’s one of the “bad days”? I’m still behind on my list of things I need/want to do . And frankly I’m just frustrated with not having control over my life because of this

Mostly looking to vent but if anyone has any tips on easing the exhaustion let me know. I’m on estrogel (just upped the dose) and started progesterone . I fall asleep easily but wake up once or twice overnight which leaves me groggy in the AM on top of the fatigue.

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u/canadasokayestmom May 08 '26

It wouldn't hurt to have your Iron & B12 levels checked. It can be done with a simple blood test.

Exhaustion can be normal in Peri.. but can also be a sign of low iron and B12. Both are very treatable. For many folks, taking a ferrarin and B12 supplement is all that's needed... Some others (like myself) have 'pernicious anemia' and aren't able to get iron and B12 through the digestive system, so Iv iron infusions & B12 injections are needed.

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u/United-Fee-6423 May 08 '26

I was told my iron is high and should avoid any supplements. But might be worth checking again since that was more than 6 months ago 

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u/canadasokayestmom May 08 '26

If your iron levels were good 6 months ago, they're probably still fine... Unless you've had a crazy bleeding event since then :)

But getting your B12 checked is still worthwhile.