Why You Feel So Tired Before Your Period (and What Might Actually Help)

When your energy disappears before your period

You’re doing fine - then suddenly, even climbing the stairs feels like a mission. Your brain’s foggy, your limbs are heavy, and no amount of coffee seems to cut through it.

This isn’t laziness or lack of sleep. It’s your body navigating the luteal phase, the stretch between ovulation and your period - when hormones like progesterone rise and then sharply fall. That hormonal rollercoaster can mess with your sleep, mood, and blood sugar, leaving you feeling wiped out.

What’s really going on?

Hormones are the main culprits here. Progesterone, which increases after ovulation, has a calming effect that can make you feel more tired. As your period approaches, both progesterone and oestrogen levels drop, leading to decreased serotonin, which can affect your mood and energy levels.

Other factors include:

• Iron levels: Heavy bleeding can lead to iron deficiency, causing fatigue.

• Sleep disturbances: Hormonal changes can disrupt sleep patterns, making you feel more tired.

• Blood sugar fluctuations: Hormonal shifts can affect blood sugar regulation, leading to energy crashes.

Small comforts that actually help

When fatigue hits, being kind to your body can make a difference:

• Prioritise sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours of quality rest. Establish a calming bedtime routine to improve sleep quality.

• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help reduce bloating and maintain energy levels.

• Eat balanced meals: Focus on iron-rich foods like leafy greens and lentils, and maintain steady blood sugar with complex carbs and proteins.

• Gentle movement: Light exercise like walking or yoga can boost circulation and energy.

• Consider supplements: Magnesium and vitamin B6 may help alleviate fatigue, but check in with a trusted healthcare provider first.

And for those days when everything feels like too much, it helps to have something breathable and kind to your skin - like our Organic Cotton Pads. No plastic, no fragrances, just soft comfort when you need it most.

You’re not imagining it

That pre-period heaviness is real - and it doesn’t mean anything’s wrong with you. Knowing what your body’s doing can help you meet it with a little more softness (and maybe an earlier bedtime).