Doctors Note Logo

Back

Published on: 9/30/2024

What Are The Possible Causes of Daytime Sleepiness in Women?

Daytime sleepiness in women can be caused by a variety of things like iron deficiency, diabetes, menopause, depression, pregnancy, sleep apnea syndrome or simply overexertion and stress.

answer background

Explanation

Feeling chronically tired or sleepy during the day can be caused by a wide range of things ranging from the common to rare. Most of the conditions are not distinct to females beyond those related to reproductive issues like pregnancy, anemia from heavy periods or menopause.

Common to Rare Causes

The most common causes of feeling drowsy or tired during the day are stress, overwork, lack of physical activity and a diet of mostly processed foods. Depression, anxiety and insomnia can also be culprits as well. Less commonly, diseases like diabetes, sleep apnea syndrome or issues with the thyroid may present with these symptoms but commonly other issues are present as well. Much less commonly, feeling tired during the day may be an early sign of a cancer or inflammatory or autoimmune disorder. Rarely is feeling tired the only symptom in these instances.

Specific to Women

Specific to women, there are reproductive-related causes of feeling tired or fatigued during the day. The most common cause is iron-deficiency anemia due to heavy periods. Another cause specific to women is pregnancy, particularly the 1st and 3rd trimester. Lastly, menopause can lead to hormonal shifts that can impact energy levels.

(References)

  • Rosenthal TC, Majeroni BA, Pretorius R, Malik K. Fatigue: an overview. Am Fam Physician. 2008 Nov 15;78(10):11739. PMID: 19035066.

  • Cahill CA. Differential diagnosis of fatigue in women. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 1999 JanFeb;28(1):816. doi: 10.1111/j.15526909.1999.tb01968.x. PMID: 9924868.

  • Ellingson LD, Kuffel AE, Vack NJ, Cook DB. Active and sedentary behaviors influence feelings of energy and fatigue in women. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2014 Jan;46(1):192200. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3182a036ab. PMID: 23783259.

Share this page

smily Shiba-inu peeking down

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Learn more about symptoms

Sleepy all day

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor’s Note is a service for informational purposes, and the provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical practice. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.