If you’re a woman over 50, struggling with low energy every day, chances are you’ve heard something like this from your doctor:
“Just stress less.”
“Try to sleep more.”
“Maybe a vacation would help.”
Or worse:
“Your labs look normal. There’s nothing wrong.”
And if you’ve walked out of that appointment feeling dismissed, frustrated, and still exhausted – just know that you’re not alone.
Here’s the truth they’re not telling you:
You don’t need a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) for your fatigue to be real or taken seriously.
Fatigue Is a Spectrum – Especially in Midlife
Fatigue doesn’t look the same for everyone.
That’s why many women feel unheard or invalidated, because their fatigue doesn’t match the “textbook” picture.
Here’s what fatigue in menopause might actually look like:
- 😩 Morning fatigue that makes it nearly impossible to get out of bed;
- 🕓 Afternoon energy crashes that derail your focus and motivation;
- 😵💫 A constant undercurrent of tiredness, no matter how much you sleep;
- 🌙 Wired and tired at night—physically exhausted but mentally buzzing, unable to fall asleep;
This spectrum of fatigue is incredibly common, yet most providers don’t look further unless there’s a clear-cut, diagnosable illness like CFS, Lyme disease, or mold toxicity.
And while yes, serious infections like Lyme Disease or Mold Illness can cause intense, long-term fatigue, they’re not the only explanation.
The Real Problem? Fatigue Dismissed as “Not Serious Enough”
Just because your symptoms don’t come with an official diagnosis doesn’t mean they aren’t affecting your life in significant ways.
This fatigue – whether mild, moderate, or debilitating -can:
- Steal your motivation and mental clarity
- Impact how you show up at work or with loved ones
- Dampen your joy, productivity, and zest for life
- Affect your relationships, confidence, and self-worth
What’s more frustrating?
Many women are told to just take a sleep aid, an antidepressant, or a vacation, and then sent on their way.
While these may offer temporary relief, they do nothing to address the underlying cause of your exhaustion.
This is NOT okay.
This is NOT the standard of care you deserve.
🔎 So What Can You Do Instead?
If you’re not being heard, and your fatigue is impacting your quality of life, it’s time to start advocating for yourself. Here are 3 steps to take now:
1. Ask for a Comprehensive Blood Panel (Not Just Basic Labs)
Many standard labs don’t go far enough. Ask your provider for:
- A full thyroid panel
- Iron panel + ferritin
- Vitamin D, B12, magnesium
- Blood sugar markers (fasting glucose, insulin and A1c)
- Inflammatory markers (CRP, homocysteine)
If your provider won’t order these, a functional health practitioner (like me) can guide you through private testing.
2. Track and Identify Your Fatigue Patterns
Start tracking your symptoms.
- When does your fatigue hit hardest?
- What are you eating, doing, or feeling before and after?
Noticing your unique energy rhythm can offer huge insight.
For example:
- Are you crashing mid-morning? Maybe your breakfast needs more protein.
- Waking at 3 a.m.? That might signal blood sugar imbalance or cortisol spikes.
Pattern recognition is the first step toward root-cause self-healing.
3. Don’t Settle for “It’s Just Menopause”
Yes, menopause brings major hormonal changes.
But menopause isn’t the problem: it’s the lack of support and the misunderstanding around what women actually need to feel well in this phase.
Your body is talking to you. The fatigue is a signal.
You don’t need to tough it out or wait for it to get worse before someone takes it seriously.
You just need someone who listens, asks the right questions, and helps you investigate further.
💛 You Deserve More Than Dismissal
You don’t need a formal diagnosis to deserve help.
You don’t need to prove how bad your fatigue is to deserve support.
Whether you’re tired in the morning, dragging by 2 p.m., or lying awake with racing thoughts at night – your experience is valid.
And more importantly, it’s fixable when we look at the whole picture: your hormones, your minerals, your nervous system, your nutrition, and your stress patterns.
✨ Inside my Flourish After Fifty With Energy and Ease program, we dig deep and beyond basic labs, plus we create a personalized plan to help you restore your energy, clarity, and confidence.
📩 You deserve to feel vibrant again.
