Category: News

Everyone feels tired from time to time. But if you’re constantly exhausted no matter how much sleep you get, it may be a sign that something deeper is going on. One of the most overlooked causes of chronic fatigue in women is a hormonal imbalance.

Hormones are powerful chemical messengers that regulate everything from energy and mood to sleep, metabolism, and even body temperature. When they’re even slightly out of balance, it can leave you dragging through the day, wondering why your usual healthy habits aren’t making a difference.

Let’s look at how hormones influence your energy — and what you can do if fatigue has become your “new normal.”

Common Hormones That Impact Energy Levels

Several hormones directly affect how energized—or drained—you feel:

• Thyroid hormones: An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) slows your metabolism, often causing fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog.
• Cortisol: Known as the “stress hormone,” cortisol helps regulate energy throughout the day. Chronic stress or adrenal dysfunction can throw levels off balance, leaving you feeling wired one moment and depleted the next.
• Estrogen & progesterone: These reproductive hormones fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, perimenopause, and menopause, impacting sleep quality, stamina, and mood.
• Insulin: Poor blood sugar regulation and insulin resistance can trigger midday crashes, cravings, and energy swings.

Signs Your Fatigue Could Be Hormone-Related

Hormonal fatigue rarely comes alone. You may notice additional signs such as:

• Feeling exhausted despite 7-8 hours of sleep
• Low motivation, brain fog, or difficulty concentrating
• Mood swings, anxiety, or irritability
• Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight
• Irregular periods or worsening PMS
• Sensitivity to cold, hair thinning, or low libido

If these symptoms sound familiar, it’s worth exploring whether your hormones could be playing a role.

How Hormones Affect You at Different Life Stages

Hormonal shifts look different at each stage of a woman’s life:

• Young adults: Conditions like PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) or thyroid disorders may cause persistent fatigue early in adulthood.
• Midlife women: Perimenopause brings fluctuating estrogen and progesterone, which can disrupt sleep, mood, and energy.
• Postpartum: After childbirth, estrogen levels drop dramatically, and thyroid changes are common. Fatigue may last beyond the typical “new mom tiredness.”
• Menopause: Declining estrogen often contributes to poor sleep, hot flashes, joint discomfort, and brain fog.

How a GYN Expert Can Help

If fatigue feels chronic, unexplained, or disruptive, a women’s health specialist can help uncover the root cause. At your visit, your provider may recommend:

• Hormone bloodwork to check thyroid, estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol levels
• Thyroid and metabolic panels to look for imbalances
• A detailed review of your symptoms in the context of your menstrual history, stress levels, and lifestyle
• Additional testing to rule out other common causes of fatigue, such as anemia, vitamin deficiencies, or autoimmune conditions

Treatment Options for Hormonal Imbalances

The encouraging news? Hormonal imbalances are treatable. Depending on your needs, treatment may include:

• Lifestyle adjustments: nutrition support, exercise, stress reduction, and better sleep hygiene
• Hormone therapy: such as hormone replacement for menopause or thyroid medication for hypothyroidism
• Supplements or targeted therapies: recommended by your provider for adrenal support or menstrual cycle regulation
• Ongoing monitoring: to adjust treatment as your body and hormones change over time

Every plan should be personalized. What works for one woman may not work for another, which is why working with a knowledgeable provider is so important.

A Whole-Person Approach to Your Health

If you’re tired of feeling tired, don’t ignore the signals. Extreme fatigue isn’t a normal part of getting older or being busy, so it may be your body’s way of telling you something is out of balance.

At Dr. Asulin, we take a whole-person approach to women’s health. That means looking at your hormones, lifestyle, and overall wellness together. With the right testing, treatment, and support, it’s absolutely possible to restore your energy and feel like yourself again.

Schedule a consultation with us today at (201) 308-5591 to take the first step toward better energy, balance, and health.

Pregnancy is a time of big changes and big questions. As your body adapts to support new life, it’s normal to wonder whether what you’re feeling is expected or something to be concerned about.

Some symptoms are perfectly routine, even if they’re brand new to you. Others may be worth checking with your provider about. The key is knowing what to expect in each trimester and listening to your body along the way!

Below, we’ll walk through the most common pregnancy symptoms by trimester and highlight when it’s time to call your OB-GYN. Whether you’re navigating early nausea or nearing your due date, this guide is here to help you feel informed and supported every step of the way.

First Trimester Symptoms (Weeks 1–12)

Early pregnancy can be a rollercoaster—physically and emotionally. If anything feels off, don’t hesitate to ask questions!

What’s Normal?

• Fatigue: A surge in progesterone can leave you feeling more tired than usual.
• Nausea and vomiting: Morning sickness often peaks around weeks 6–10.
• Breast tenderness: Hormonal changes can make breasts feel swollen or sore.
• Mood swings: Fluctuating hormones may lead to increased sensitivity or irritability.
• Frequent urination: A growing uterus and hormonal shifts may send you to the bathroom more often.

When to Call Your OBGYN

• Severe abdominal pain or cramping
• Heavy vaginal bleeding (more than spotting)
• Fever over 100.4°F
• Severe dizziness or fainting
• Persistent vomiting and dehydration
• Second Trimester Symptoms (Weeks 13–27)

What’s Normal?

• Backaches or round ligament pain: As your belly grows, so does the strain on muscles and ligaments.
• Increased appetite: Energy returns and hunger often picks up.
• Mild swelling in feet and hands: Common later in the trimester, especially after standing for long periods.
• Skin changes: You may notice darkening skin, stretch marks, or a visible line down your belly (linea nigra).
• Baby kicks! Many people feel movement between weeks 18–22.

When to Call Your OBGYN

• Sudden, severe swelling (especially in the face or around the eyes)
• Blurred vision, headaches, or upper abdominal pain
• Decreased fetal movement after 24 weeks
• Vaginal bleeding or unusual discharge
• Persistent, painful cramping
• Third Trimester Symptoms (Weeks 28–40+)

What’s Normal?

• Shortness of breath: A growing uterus can press on your lungs.
• Braxton Hicks contractions: These “practice” contractions are usually mild and irregular.
• Frequent urination and disrupted sleep: Common as your baby drops lower into your pelvis.
• Pelvic pressure or discomfort: Especially as labor approaches.
• Leaking colostrum (early milk): This is your body prepping for breastfeeding.

When to Call Your OBGYN

• Regular contractions before 37 weeks
• Sudden decrease in fetal movement
• Signs of labor (bloody show, water breaking, frequent contractions)
• High fever or flu-like symptoms
• Severe itching, especially on hands and feet (a possible sign of cholestasis)

Trust Your Body and Your Provider

No two pregnancies are exactly alike. Some people feel great, while others have symptoms that change daily. No matter where you are in your journey, one thing is true: You deserve to feel heard, supported, and cared for.

When in Doubt, Reach Out

Have questions about your symptoms?  Schedule a visit with Dr. Asulin at (201) 308-5591 with any concerns, and trust yourself every step of the way.

Do you find yourself locating the nearest bathroom when you are out with friends? Do you make it a habit to always use the bathroom before going anywhere? Are wearing leakproof panties now part of your daily attire? If so, you may be suffering from an overactive bladder. There is more you can do to manage this problem. Here are 12 effective tips for managing overactive bladder.

Continue reading “12 Effective Tips for Managing Overactive Bladder” →

As the cold days of winter approach, many women can’t remember why they dread that time of year so much. Then it all comes back to them. Winter is one of those seasons when their menstrual cycle goes haywire. Their irritability is off the charts, their menstrual pain seems to be worse than normal, and their periods seem longer. In fact there are similar issues when the weather turns warmer. There are some physical reasons why this occurs. Let’s take a deeper dive into seasonal changes and their impact on gynecological health.

Continue reading “Seasonal Changes and Their Impact on Gynecological Health” →