Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 3: For many women approaching their 40s, constant tiredness can gradually become part of everyday life. From waking up exhausted to managing work, household responsibilities and personal commitments, many continue to function normally despite feeling physically and mentally drained.

The experience, often described on social media as ‘high-functioning exhaustion’, can be difficult to recognise because women continue to meet deadlines, care for their families and manage their daily responsibilities. However, experts caution that persistent exhaustion should not always be dismissed as the result of a hectic lifestyle.

For women approaching their 40s, hormonal changes associated with perimenopause may contribute to symptoms such as fatigue, disturbed sleep, brain fog and mood changes.

Dr Bimalpreet Mohan, Director, Chief Radiologist and Women’s Health Specialist at Capital Health Clinic, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, said many women assume they are simply overwhelmed by work and family responsibilities.

While lifestyle factors can contribute to exhaustion, hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause may alter the way the brain and body respond to stress. Women may experience mental sluggishness, emotional strain and physical exhaustion even without significant changes to their daily routine.

Brain fog is another common concern during this phase. Women may find it difficult to concentrate, forget small details, struggle with multitasking or have difficulty maintaining focus during the day. Poor sleep can further worsen these problems and affect productivity and confidence.

According to Dr Mohan, hormonal fluctuations can disturb sleep even before symptoms such as hot flashes become prominent. Frequent night-time awakenings or waking up without feeling refreshed can result in sleep deprivation, which in turn affects memory, concentration and emotional resilience.

Changes in weight can also occur during midlife. Some women may notice increased fat accumulation around the abdomen despite maintaining similar eating and activity patterns. Hormonal changes, chronic stress, inadequate sleep and reduced physical activity may collectively make weight management more difficult.

Dr Shobha Gupta, Medical Director, Gynaecologist and IVF Specialist at Mother's Lap IVF Centre, Pitampura, New Delhi, said sudden weight gain should not simply be attributed to ageing or a lack of discipline.

Perimenopause can bring metabolic and hormonal changes that affect how the body stores fat. When these changes are combined with poor sleep, stress and reduced physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight can become more challenging.

Experts also point out that perimenopause involves much more than irregular periods and hot flashes. Women may experience anxiety, irritability, low motivation, joint discomfort, reduced energy, disturbed sleep and changes in self-confidence.

Since these symptoms often develop gradually, they may be mistaken for the effects of work pressure, family responsibilities or a busy lifestyle.

Experts recommend maintaining regular sleep patterns, reducing screen exposure before bedtime, taking frequent movement breaks, eating balanced meals with adequate protein, managing stress and undergoing routine health check-ups.

At the same time, persistent fatigue or brain fog should not automatically be blamed on perimenopause. Thyroid disorders, anaemia, vitamin deficiencies and other health conditions can produce similar symptoms.

Dr Mohan stressed the importance of medical evaluation to identify the underlying cause and ensure that conditions requiring treatment are not overlooked.

Constant exhaustion should not be treated as a sign of productivity or success. Women may continue managing their responsibilities while experiencing symptoms that deserve attention.

Experts advise women who experience persistent fatigue, brain fog, disturbed sleep or anxiety for several weeks to seek medical advice rather than assuming the symptoms are simply due to stress.

Recognising these changes early and paying attention to physical and emotional wellbeing can help women seek appropriate support and address potential health concerns during midlife.