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I try hard to get 8 hours of sleep a night, and almost always get at least 7.5. However, I am very tired all day long. I don’t drink coffee or soda, and would like to continue to avoid caffeine. Is there any explanation for my constant exhaustion or anything I can do other than sleep more/consume caffeine to stay more alert?

Feeling fatigued can be a troublesome issue for many women of all ages.  It is not only because you are working hard and may not be getting enough sleep.  Some medical issues maybe affecting your ability to get good sleep throughout the night and wake up refreshed.  You may also be fatigued, tired or mentally and physically exhausted. Stress, depression, drug and substance abuse including over the counter medications can lead to exhaustion symptoms.  Poor sleep can also impact your overall health and wellness.  Some women may suffer from medical issues including anemia, heart problems, diabetes, thyroid conditions to name a few, all which may also impact feelings of alertness during the day. There is often not magic silver bullet or cure all for fatigue and exhaustion. It is always wise to seek medical professional help when having issues of exhaustion so seek medical care and get a proper comprehensive evaluation and work up today.

The contents of this blog post by Dr. Michael Krychman, a sexual medicine doctor, on Her Campus website, such as text, graphics, and other material (“Content”) located at hercampus.com and its subdomains or aliases (“Website”) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of Content found on the Website. If you have a medical emergency, call your physician/dentist or 911 immediately.

Michael L. Krychman, MDCM, is the medical director of Sexual Medicine and the executive director of the Southern California Center for Sexual Health and Survivorship Medicine in Newport Beach, California. He formerly served as Co-Director of Sexual Medicine at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and Associate Professor at Cornell Medical School in New York City. Previously on staff at Temple University Hospital and Episcopal Hospital in Philadelphia, Dr. Krychman holds licenses from three states including California, Pennsylvania and New York. His clinical interests are diverse, ranging from chemotherapy-induced chemical dysparenia to management of sexual dysfunction in cancer and non-cancer patients. His special interests include sexual pain disorders, loss of libido, chronic medical illness and its impact on female sexual function, as well as breast cancer sexuality. Dr. Krychman has been involved with medical research, writing, and grand rounds presentations on diverse topics related to vaginal and cervical surgery; quality of life and pelvic exenteration; use of estrogen for urogenital atrophy; sexual challenges for pregnant and post surgical patients; and psycho-social aspects of breast cancer. Fluent in French and English, Dr. Krychman obtained his doctorate in medicine and masters in surgery from McGill University School of Medicine in Montreal, where he was named a “Great Distinction Medical Scholar.” Dr. Krychman is a published author and has served as a reviewer and editorial advisor for medical journals and co-authored chapters recently accepted for publication in two textbooks: Cancer, Sexuality, and Sexual Expression in Female Sexual Dysfunction, 1st ed., and Reconstructive Surgery and Rehabilitation in Principles and Practice of Gynecologic Oncology, 4th ed. He recently authored A Hundred Questions and Answers for the Woman Living with Cancer: A Practical Guide to Female Survivorship, and has received both international and national recognition for his peer-reviewed articles and lectures on female sexual health. Dr. Krychman has also been featured in The New York Times and US News and World Report. The contents of blog posts by Dr. Michael Krychman, a sexual medicine doctor, on Her Campus website, such as text, graphics, and other material ("Content") located at hercampus.com and its subdomains or aliases ("Website") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of Content found on the Website. If you have a medical emergency, call your physician/dentist or 911 immediately.