Fatigue

Fatigue is extreme tiredness that slows down your body and mind, making it hard to go about your regular routine. Clinton Ashford, MD, FACOG, Rebecca Ashford, MD, and Brookes Vaughan, NP, provide expert care for women struggling with fatigue at The Ashford Center in Athens, Georgia. Gynecological conditions are a common cause of fatigue in women. Our providers at The Ashford Center identify the cause and provide the most effective treatment. For help with your fatigue, call the office today or schedule a consultation online.

What is fatigue?

Fatigue is extreme tiredness that doesn’t improve with sleep. It’s the kind of tiredness that makes your body and mind move so slow it’s hard to function and impossible to push through.

Many women struggle with fatigue, making it hard to accomplish all the things they need to do. The gynecologists at The Ashford Center understand this type of fatigue and have a solution. 

What causes fatigue?

Fatigue has many causes and is a common symptom of many health conditions like diabetes, depression, and heart disease. 

However, if your fatigue is cyclical, meaning it's worse before and during the first part of your period, then your symptoms may be due to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), perimenopause (the transitional time before menopause), or menopause. The hormonal changes that occur during your menstrual cycle and before and during menopause affect energy levels.

Additionally, the endometrium releases a neuroactive peptide during degeneration right before your period. This changes blood flow to the area of the brain that controls mood (the limbic system), resulting in fatigue. 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis are gynecological conditions that also cause fatigue.

When should I seek gynecology care for fatigue?

If your fatigue is cyclical or from a gynecological condition, then you need to schedule an appointment with the gynecologists at The Ashford Center. Dr. Ashford specializes in diagnosing and treating gynecological conditions that cause symptoms that affect quality of life.

He reviews your symptoms and menstrual cycle as well as your medical and gynecological history. Dr. Ashford completes a physical and pelvic exam and runs bloodwork to check hormone levels. He may also have you undergo ultrasound testing to confirm or rule out PCOS.

What treatments help fatigue?

The Ashford Center recommends advanced endometrial ablation to stop fatigue from PMS, menopause, or a gynecological condition in women who have completed their childbearing (have no future pregnancy plans). 

Advanced endometrial ablation stops fatigue by removing the hormonal lining of the endometrium, eliminating the cause. Many women report feeling normal every day of the year after this procedure.

Dr. Ashford has performed more than 5,000 advanced endometrial ablation procedures and is a leader in the field. He can talk to you about the procedure and help you decide if it makes the right choice for you.

To learn more about fatigue treatment at The Ashford Center and how it can help you get your life back, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.