Published March 3, 2025
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Written by Stacy Miller
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A woman’s menstrual cycle is full of hormonal fluctuations that can affect you physically and emotionally. While we often focus on our period, other stages can be equally impactful. During ovulation, your body undergoes complex hormone shifts that can cause numerous symptoms like mood swings, cramps, breast tenderness, and increased cervical mucus. But does ovulation make you tired? The short answer is yes; some women do experience ovulation tiredness after they ovulate, but it is not so common. In this article, we’ll answer the question, “Why am I so tired during ovulation?” and provide tips to help maintain your energy levels so you can feel your best.
Key takeaways
- Some women can feel fatigued or even exhausted after ovulation.
- Having low energy during ovulation can be normal due to hormonal changes, increased stress and metabolic rate, and poor sleep quality.
- Knowing how to overcome ovulation fatigue can make you feel better during this stage of your menstrual cycle.
- Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, getting plenty of rest, and staying hydrated can help you overcome tiredness during ovulation.
What is ovulation fatigue?
As women, we can get numerous symptoms throughout our menstrual cycles. One question we’re asked is, “Why do you get tired during ovulation?” For some, the answer could be ovulation fatigue. Ovulation fatigue is when you experience a mild loss of energy after ovulation. But why can ovulation make you tired?
Right before ovulation, your estrogen levels reach their peak, triggering a surge in luteinizing hormone, which causes a mature egg to release from your ovary. Your estrogen levels then fall, and progesterone levels rise, preparing the uterus for implantation. These hormonal fluctuations are one of the key factors that explain why you may feel low energy after ovulation.
Is it normal to be tired during ovulation?
While there’s no denying our bodies undergo many changes during our menstrual cycle, experiencing symptoms without knowing why can be concerning. While Hormonas know tracking your hormones can provide insights into why we feel the way we do, if you’re not familiar with how your body functions, you may not know what’s “normal” and what’s not. So, is it normal to feel tired during ovulation?
The answer is “Yes,” feeling tired around ovulation can be normal. There are numerous ovulation symptoms: fatigue, mittelschmerz (dull cramping on one side of the abdomen,) changes to your sex drive, breast tenderness, and mood swings. So, if you’re feeling tired before ovulation, you generally have nothing to worry about.
If you’re wondering, “Does ovulation make you tired and hungry?” the answer is “No.” It is uncommon to feel hungrier around ovulation; in fact, the opposite is often true.
Is it normal to be exhausted during ovulation?
Extreme is never normal, it is also related to feeling exhausted during ovulation or extremely tired after ovulation. So, if you’re wondering, “Does ovulation cause fatigue?” the answer can be “Yes” if it refers to a mild experience, such as feeling a little sleepy around ovulation. However, the answer would be “No” if you’re completely exhausted. Please note that this experience is uncommon.
Is extreme fatigue after ovulation a sign you might be pregnant?
The short answer is “No”. Feeling tired after ovulation can be normal, but it can’t indicate pregnancy unless you’ve reached your next period and missed it. Along with a delayed period and extreme fatigue, pregnant women could also experience additional symptoms like:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Spotting
- Swollen or tender breasts
- Frequent urination
One reason for these symptoms is the dramatic increase in progesterone levels, which can create a slight sedation effect. Progesterone is a key hormone for supporting healthy pregnancies since it prepares the uterine lining to support a growing fetus. So, if you’re feeling extremely tired, missed a period and suspect that you may be pregnant, take a pregnancy test to find out.
What are the causes of feeling tired during ovulation?
If you’re experiencing mid-cycle fatigue, ovulation shouldn’t be to blame. As we’ve previously said, extreme fatigue is almost never normal, and exhaustion during ovulation is not an exception, it may be a sign of a different issue, like the ones mentioned below.
Depression
While feelings of sadness may be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about depression, fatigue is also a possibility. Therefore, if there is no apparent reason for your loss of energy, it could be a sign of hidden depression.
Hormonal issues
Are you more tired during ovulation? Your hormones could be to blame. Changes in thyroid hormone levels could cause you to feel fatigued and, coincidentally, fatigue before ovulation.
Changing sleep patterns
Changes to your sleep patterns can cause extreme fatigue before ovulation when you experience significant sleep disturbances.
Stress
For women struggling with fertility, ovulation can be a stressful time. Even if you’re not trying to conceive, mood swings may increase stress levels, which can make you feel tired when ovulating.
What are the symptoms of fatigue during ovulation?
While feeling tired during ovulation is normal, it’s not the only possible symptom of ovulation fatigue. During ovulation, rarely you may also experience the following:
- Mood changes – Mood changes may be a symptom since tiredness can often impact your emotions.
- Body fatigue – Body fatigue is also associated with ovulation tiredness, causing muscle weakness or overall weariness.
Tips on how to manage and overcome ovulation fatigue
While ovulation fatigue can make daily tasks difficult, there are ways to manage and overcome it. We’ve made a list of the top tips to help you feel more energized while ovulating.
Eat a healthy diet
Your diet impacts much more than your weight. It’s important to eat nutrient-dense foods during ovulation to give your body the fuel it needs to function properly. The foods you eat have a direct impact on your overall health and well-being. For example, ginseng can help increase energy. It can be added to your meals or drinks or consumed as a supplement. Additionally, it is one of the ingredients in Hormona Hormone Support, which is designed to address mood swings, low energy, and fatigue. If you want to save time and avoid searching, you can try this product. Along with ginseng, it contains saffron, lemon balm, evening primrose oil, magnesium bisglycinate, vitamins B5, B6, B12, D, sage, chromium, and zinc.
Exercise
Exercising is a great way to help keep your hormones balanced and your energy levels high. Walking, light aerobics, and yoga are perfect options during ovulation to beat the tiredness.
Get enough sleep
Sleep is crucial to maintaining a healthy body and ensuring everything works as it should. Getting at least 7 to 9 hours or more a night will help you feel rested.
Manage stress
Stress will make you feel run down, so taking time to manage it can be a great way to beat ovulation fatigue. Spending time in nature, journaling, practicing mindfulness, and spending time with friends are easy ways to help manage stress.
When to consult a healthcare professional
While for some, ovulation fatigue can be normal, if it’s severe and persistent, impacting your daily life, you should talk to your doctor. You should also speak to a healthcare professional if it’s accompanied by confusion, dizziness, or blurred vision, as these could be symptoms of an underlying condition.
If you experience ovulation fatigue, you’re not alone. Some women become tired around the middle of their menstrual cycle; however, it is not a common experience. Understanding why you’re feeling exhausted and knowing how to combat it can make ovulation easier so you can feel great all month long. The Hormona app is an award-winning app that helps women decode their hormone health. Experience deeper insights and helpful tools to understand your body better and feel your best with Hormona.
FAQ
Can ovulation make you sleep more?
No, ovulation is unlikely to make you sleep more. It is quite common for individuals to feel sleepy simply due to being tired from work or study, during the early stages of pregnancy, or when they are sick.
Is sleep good for ovulation?
Yes, getting adequate sleep is great for maintaining hormonal balance and ovulation. Inadequate sleep can cause hormonal disruptions that may impact menstrual cycle regularity, which makes it harder to predict ovulation.
Is it normal to feel low during ovulation?
Yes, mood swings, including feeling low, can be normal during ovulation. You may also experience other mood changes like irritability and anxiety. However, it is not common.
Can men tell when a woman is ovulating?
No, there’s no conclusive scientific evidence showing that men can tell when a woman is ovulating.
Disclaimer: This website does not provide medical advice. The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this website is for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new healthcare regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Written by
Stacy Miller
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Reviewed by
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Dr Singh is the Medical Director of the Indiana Sleep Center. His research and clinical practice focuses on the myriad of sleep.
- Zhao, F., Hong, X., Wang, W., Wu, J., & Wang, B. (2022). Effects of physical activity and sleep duration on fertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis based on prospective cohort studies. Frontiers in public health, 10, 1029469. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1029469
- Gorczyca, A. M., Sjaarda, L. A., Mitchell, E. M., Perkins, N. J., Schliep, K. C., Wactawski-Wende, J., & Mumford, S. L. (2016). Changes in macronutrient, micronutrient, and food group intakes throughout the menstrual cycle in healthy, premenopausal women. European journal of nutrition, 55(3), 1181–1188. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-015-0931-0
- Lyons, P. M., Truswell, A. S., Mira, M., Vizzard, J., & Abraham, S. F. (1989). Reduction of food intake in the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 49(6), 1164–1168. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/49.6.1164
- Ghanean, H., Ceniti, A. K., & Kennedy, S. H. (2018). Fatigue in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: Prevalence, Burden and Pharmacological Approaches to Management. CNS drugs, 32(1), 65–74. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-018-0490-z
- Arring, N. M., Millstine, D., Marks, L. A., & Nail, L. M. (2018). Ginseng as a Treatment for Fatigue: A Systematic Review. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 24(7), 624–633. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2017.0361
- Jeon, B., & Baek, J. (2023). Menstrual disturbances and its association with sleep disturbances: a systematic review. BMC women’s health, 23(1), 470. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02629-0
- Haselton, M. G., & Gildersleeve, K. (2011). Can Men Detect Ovulation? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 20(2), 87-92. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721411402668
- Zhao, F., Hong, X., Wang, W., Wu, J., & Wang, B. (2022). Effects of physical activity and sleep duration on fertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis based on prospective cohort studies. Frontiers in public health, 10, 1029469. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1029469
- Gorczyca, A. M., Sjaarda, L. A., Mitchell, E. M., Perkins, N. J., Schliep, K. C., Wactawski-Wende, J., & Mumford, S. L. (2016). Changes in macronutrient, micronutrient, and food group intakes throughout the menstrual cycle in healthy, premenopausal women. European journal of nutrition, 55(3), 1181–1188. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-015-0931-0
- Lyons, P. M., Truswell, A. S., Mira, M., Vizzard, J., & Abraham, S. F. (1989). Reduction of food intake in the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 49(6), 1164–1168. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/49.6.1164
- Ghanean, H., Ceniti, A. K., & Kennedy, S. H. (2018). Fatigue in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: Prevalence, Burden and Pharmacological Approaches to Management. CNS drugs, 32(1), 65–74. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-018-0490-z
- Arring, N. M., Millstine, D., Marks, L. A., & Nail, L. M. (2018). Ginseng as a Treatment for Fatigue: A Systematic Review. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 24(7), 624–633. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2017.0361
- Jeon, B., & Baek, J. (2023). Menstrual disturbances and its association with sleep disturbances: a systematic review. BMC women’s health, 23(1), 470. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02629-0
- Haselton, M. G., & Gildersleeve, K. (2011). Can Men Detect Ovulation? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 20(2), 87-92. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721411402668