Person suffering from Endometriosis Fatigue

Endometriosis Fatigue: Causes, Symptoms & Solutions

April 26, 2024

Endometriosis is a severe inflammatory condition where cells that are similar to the lining of the womb grow outside of the uterus, causing severe pelvic pain, depression and sometimes, infertility.

It’s estimated to affect up to 1.5 million women in the UK and is the second most common gynaecological condition after fibroids. Worldwide, that number is even higher, affecting up to 190 million women and girls of reproductive age.

Despite its prevalence, endometriosis remains highly misunderstood and difficult to diagnose. In fact, research has shown that those with the condition in the UK have to wait an average of 8 years just to be diagnosed.

However, one very clear thing is the connection between endometriosis and fatigue. Endometriosis fatigue is experienced by up to 50.7% of women with the disease, with one study reporting fatigue among 100% of its endometriosis patients.

Read on to learn more about why endometriosis causes tiredness, the endometriosis fatigue symptoms to look out for and tips and strategies to help, including delicious Novomins supplements.

Can Endometriosis Cause Fatigue?

The long and short of it is that yes, fatigue is a symptom of endometriosis—and a common one at that.

Women and girls with endometriosis report feeling constant exhaustion, as well as feeling tired, weak, drained and worn out. Additionally, twice as many women with endometriosis experience fatigue compared to those who don’t.

This constant state of exhaustion can easily interfere with everyday life, making endometriosis a difficult condition to live with. It can impact education, work and relationships.

While fatigue in endometriosis can be experienced throughout the month, it’s most often experienced before or during the first days of menstruation and during ovulation. If fatigue occurs, it can be a sign of an impending endometriosis flare-up.

Why Does Endometriosis Cause Fatigue?

Inflammation

Endometriosis fatigue isn’t fully understood and is often overlooked. However, one of the main theories points to inflammation as the main culprit causing endometriosis fatigue.

When you have endometriosis, your body constantly tries to fight and get rid of the uterus-like tissue, which triggers the body’s immune response. This is sometimes known as a systemic response and results in endometriosis chronic fatigue from constant stress to the body.

Pain

Endometriosis is an incredibly painful condition, with sharp and intense stabbing and twisting pains. The pain alone can result in fatigue due to feeling physical discomfort for prolonged periods. Pain can also interfere with sleep, increasing inflammation and worsening fatigue.

Mental Health

Aside from endometriosis fatigue symptoms, those with endometriosis also have to deal with the negative impact it can have on their mental health.

According to a study, 86% of patients with chronic pelvic pain exhibited signs of depression, with research showing the condition is also associated with higher levels of anxiety and other mood disorders.

Anaemia

Heavy periods are one of the main signs of endometriosis, as well as irregular bleeding in between periods and blood-stained vaginal discharge. With blood loss comes iron loss and an increased risk of developing iron deficiency anaemia.

When the body doesn’t have enough iron, it can’t produce haemoglobin, which is needed to transport oxygen to cells around the body and make energy. This can cause you to feel tired, weak and fatigued.

Endometriosis Fatigue Symptoms: What Does Endometriosis Fatigue Feel Like?

While endometriosis fatigue will vary from person to person, some of the most common endometriosis fatigue symptoms include:

Endometriosis and Chronic Fatigue

It’s important to note that endometriosis fatigue is often described as a state of constant and debilitating exhaustion. It isn’t comparable to the feeling you get when you’re tired due to a hectic day at work or from a lack of sleep.
Some even describe feeling like they’ve been tranquillised and feel so exhausted that they can’t do anything.

Endometriosis and Fatigue with Nausea

Gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating and nausea are a common occurrence in endometriosis fatigue, especially when you are on your period. It can be frequent or, in some instances, non-stop and might trigger actual vomiting.

Endometriosis and Weakness

Extreme fatigue in endometriosis can cause weakness, dizziness and a faint feeling when moving. Additionally, it can lead to flu-like symptoms such as muscle or joint aches, pains and glands that are sore but not swollen.

Endometriosis, Headaches and Fatigue

Similar to regular exhaustion, endometriosis fatigue can cause headaches, confusion and difficulty concentrating due to a lack of sleep from the discomfort, pain and chronic inflammation. Research also shows that those with endometriosis are more likely to get a migraine than women without the disease.

What Helps Endometriosis Fatigue?

Exercise

Simply going about your day can feel impossible when experiencing fatigue in endometriosis. But doing even light exercise, if possible, could help boost your mood and energy levels — even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time.

Exercise can improve sleep and fight fatigue by helping cells produce more fuel for the body and increasing oxygen circulation.

Additionally, those who suffer from endometriosis chronic fatigue may find themselves leading a sedentary lifestyle sooner than they think. Getting up, moving around and doing some light stretching will help to relieve pain whilst keeping you as healthy as possible.

PMS supplements

PMS supplements, like Novomins PMS Gummies, are specially formulated to give your body the support it needs to manage your monthly cycle. Packed with a blend of vitamins, minerals, probiotics and botanicals that can reduce period symptoms by up to 2.57 times, they include:

Chasteberry extract to balance hormones
Magnesium and vitamin B to banish fatigue and boost your energy
Vitamin D for mood regulation
Lemon balm to reduce sleep disturbances associated with PMS
Calcium and magnesium to relax muscles and alleviate period cramps

Each gummy provides targeted PMS relief that can also help ease endometriosis fatigue. Don’t believe us? Take a look at what our customers have to say:

“I no longer dread my period anymore! 2 a day and my cycle has been bearable since without taking any painkillers! 5 stars.“

- Danielle Edgar

Magnesium

Studies show women with painful periods tend to have lower magnesium levels. Magnesium acts as a natural muscle relaxant, easing cramps. It is crucial in regulating the body’s metabolism, changing food into energy. That’s why symptoms of magnesium deficiency include feeling fatigued or tired, as well as common endometriosis symptoms, such as severe PMS.

Even supplementing just 250 mg of magnesium a day can make a significant difference. It can notably reduce painful menstruation, headaches, and muscle and back pain, all of which contribute to fatigue, while also helping to maintain a balanced mood.
Novomins Magnesium gummies provide 1455 mg of magnesium with every chew and come in a delicious raspberry flavour, making them feel like a sweet treat.

Energy supplements

Energy supplements are specially designed to give you a boost and keep tiredness at bay. While they won’t necessarily target your other endometriosis symptoms, they can help improve your endometriosis fatigue.

Novomins’ range of energy gummies is specially formulated with vitamins, nutrients and minerals proven to boost and maintain energy. Naturally transforming your energy levels without the post-caffeine crash, they contain a mix of B vitamins, iron, vitamin C and more.

Iron

As heavy bleeding is a major symptom of endometriosis, keeping your iron levels topped up is essential. Women who bleed heavily on their period lose, on average, up to five to six times more iron per day than those with regular menstruation levels.

As you can imagine, this can lead to or exacerbate fatigue, including endometriosis fatigue after your period.

Increase your iron levels naturally by eating lean red meat, nuts, dark chocolate and beans or by supplementing your diet with tasty Novomins Iron Gummies. Rich in iron, these supplements support red blood cell formation while reducing endometriosis-caused tiredness and fatigue — all in a burst of delicious strawberry flavour.

With 4.8 stars out of 5, our customers love them, like Lolray:

“I've been anaemic in the past, and I struggle with swallowing tablets, so I was searching for a gummy version. These were by far the cheapest options with the best reviews, and I agree with the good reviews! They taste really nice, just a slight iron aftertaste, the texture is good, it's not too chewy, and I already feel like I have more energy. Also so far I have had no stomach issues as I have had with previous iron medication. For all you iron-deficient people out there, try them you won't be disappointed :)”

- Lolray

Positive review by a customer in relation to Novomins Magnesium Gummies

Alleviate Endometriosis Fatigue with Novomins Gummies

Fatigue is a common symptom of endometriosis that can cause debilitating exhaustion. Much like the condition itself, the cause of endometriosis fatigue is unknown, although inflammation, pain, anaemia and poor mental health as a result of this chronic disease are thought to be likely reasons why endometriosis causes fatigue.

An often overlooked symptom, it can leave sufferers feeling so tired that they struggle with their daily routines, affecting everything from work to relationships. But it doesn't have to.

Lifestyle changes like exercise and supplementing vitamins and minerals like magnesium, iron and B vitamins can ease fatigue or keep it at bay.

Check out Novomin's range of energy and women's health gummies. Our doctor-formulated supplements are made with the highest-quality, natural ingredients to support your body with every chew.

Endometriosis fatigue FAQs

Can endometriosis make you feel dizzy?

Dizziness can be common for individuals with endometriosis. This may stem from extreme fatigue and sleep disturbances due to pain or from blood and iron loss resulting from heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding.

References:

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