Ovulation fatigue and exhaustion can occur during and after ovulation. It’s associated with fluctuations in hormones, including estrogen and progesterone.

If you feel tired or exhausted in the weeks leading up to your period, it’s not “all in your head.” Ovulation fatigue can contribute to these symptoms shortly after you ovulate, whether or not you conceive. Although it is not a recognized diagnosis, some people are reporting feeling symptoms like those of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) when they ovulate. Some people refer to this as ovulation fatigue.

Read on to learn why this happens, and what you can do to control it.

Ovulation fatigue refers to more-than-usual feelings of tiredness during or shortly after your menstrual cycle’s midpoint. You may experience a level of exhaustion or weariness that interferes with your daily activities, such as work, socializing, and exercising. The symptoms are very similar to PMS.

If you’re under stress, sleeping poorly, or juggling too much, ovulation fatigue may worsen and be even more challenging to cope with.

Fatigue may not be the only ovulation symptom you have. The signs of ovulation include:

During ovulation, you may have some or all of these symptoms. Some people experience a surge of energy for a few days leading up to ovulation. Others feel tired. The physical symptoms of ovulation can also contribute to the exhaustion associated with ovulation fatigue.

Ovulation fatigue may be associated with the hormonal fluctuations related to your menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle has four stages. They are:

  • Menstruation: During this phase, the uterine lining sheds, and you get your period.
  • Follicular phase: This phase overlaps with menstruation. During the follicular phase, estrogen levels rise, and you start to form a new uterine lining. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) also rises, causing the follicles in your ovaries to lengthen and grow.
  • Ovulation: During ovulation, luteinizing hormone (LH) signals your ovaries to release a mature egg from a follicle. During ovulation, estrogen levels spike.
  • Luteal phase: At the beginning of the luteal phase, the mature egg travels into a fallopian tube, where it may be fertilized by sperm. Your body prepares for pregnancy by thickening the uterine lining. Estrogen levels plummet, and progesterone levels rise for around two weeks. If you are not pregnant, progesterone levels drop, and your body prepares for your next period.

The fluctuations in hormones that occur during and after ovulation can deplete physical energy and contribute to ovulation fatigue. The rise in estrogen that triggers ovulation may uptick your energy level (and your sex drive) temporarily. But when estrogen starts to plummet, physical and mental exhaustion can set in.

A 2020 study found that mental fatigue increases during the luteal phase.

The high amounts of progesterone that earmark the luteal phase can also reduce spatial awareness and slow down your ability to perform certain tasks. This can make work, both at home and on the job, exhausting.

You may notice the symptoms of ovulation fatigue every month, or only occasionally. Depression, anxiety, and certain mood disorders can cause mental and physical weariness, making ovulation fatigue more intense.

If you’re trying to get pregnant and having difficulty, the stress of tracking ovulation, or of undergoing fertility treatments, can cause mental exhaustion. This, too, can make ovulation fatigue worse.

Certain health conditions, lifestyle factors, and habits can also heighten your risk for ovulation fatigue. They include:

Technically, ovulation fatigue is not a formal medical diagnosis. It’s a collection of symptoms. However, if you consistently feel tired around the time of ovulation, and it concerns you, talk with your healthcare professional. This is especially important if your symptoms interfere with your ability to function optimally or enjoy life.

Your healthcare professional will ask about symptoms such as changes in mood and menstrual cycle history. They may ask you to track your monthly symptoms to determine when they occur, and if they’re always associated with ovulation.

They may ask you about your emotional state and inquire about your work-life balance, as well as any issues that might be causing you stress or sadness.

They will give you a physical exam to rule out conditions that may mimic or contribute to ovulation fatigue, such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or anemia. A blood test, urine test, and sonogram may be performed to identify these and other underlying issues.

Make sure to let your doctor know about prescription and OTC medications, as well as supplements that you take. These can have side effects, like tiredness, that resemble ovulation fatigue.

There’s no specific drug or medical treatment that cures ovulation fatigue, but that doesn’t mean you can’t reduce or control it.

If you have an underlying health condition, treating it may reduce this symptom. There are also lifestyle changes you can make, which may help.

Get enough sleep

If you’re well rested, you’re less likely to become overwhelmed by the added exhaustion brought on by ovulation fatigue. Things to try include:

  • Drink less alcohol: Drinking alcoholic or caffeinated beverages too close to bedtime can disrupt sleep, causing insomnia. They also cause dehydration, which further erodes sleep quality.
  • Shut off bad news: The unending news cycle can cause stress and other negative emotions. It can be hard to ignore those breaking news alerts, but placing a buffer between yourself and the things you can’t control can help you get to sleep and stay asleep.
  • Avoid overusing electronics late at night: Consider swapping out your devices for a book or a quiet hobby you enjoy.
  • Keep things cooler at night: Reduce the temperature of your room, sheets, and pillowcases, especially if you’re a hot sleeper.

Reduce stress

  • Exercise: It may seem counterintuitive, but exercising, even when you’re tired, can help reduce stress and potentially relieve ovulation fatigue. Exercise helps you sleep better, plus releases feel-good endorphins, which can be energizing.
  • Try yoga or meditation: These tried-and-true stress-busters may be helpful for coping with ovulation fatigue.

Eat healthy food

  • Eating simple carbohydrates, like cake and cookies, can cause a sugar high that leads to a mood crash. plus tiredness. Swapping out sweets for healthy foods can keep you energized.
  • Avoid foods high in salt. These exacerbate symptoms that accompany ovulation fatigue, like bloating.

Ovulation fatigue isn’t inherently dangerous, but it can make your days hard to get through. If you’re tired, you may be more prone to irritability and mood changes. You may find yourself with a short temper, which may create chaos at work and at home.

Ovulation fatigue may exacerbate an already high stress level or make it difficult for you to concentrate.

Being tired can also add to feelings of overwhelm or increase your sense of physical discomfort.

Working with a healthcare professional or making lifestyle changes can help you prevent ovulation fatigue.

Once you’ve identified that you have this condition, you can also plan for it. This puts the control back in your hands and gives you time to plan out coping strategies each month.

Hormonal fluctuations are the primary driver of this condition. Plummeting levels of estrogen and progesterone are the most common culprits.

Yes. Ovulation fatigue can occur during and after the ovulation cycle in anyone who menstruates, even if their periods are irregular.

It can be. Hormone production becomes more erratic during perimenopause. If you are in or nearing this stage of life, you may have more ovulation fatigue than you did when you were younger.

Ovulation fatigue is a common issue that many individuals experience during their menstrual cycle. It has symptoms and timing like PMS.

If you find that you’re more tired than usual when you ovulate or afterwards, lifestyle changes can help. Additionally, consider talking with a healthcare professional and getting tested for underlying conditions.