Invisible Fatigue in Women: Why Chronic Tiredness, Anemia, and Stress Shouldn’t Be Ignored

Feeling tired is a universal feeling; however, among women, it is mostly dismissed as a normal part of modern life. Apart from very long work hours to caregiving responsibilities, and numerous household

duties, women feel their exhaustion and burnout become “invisible”. However, according to experts, persistent fatigue is not something that should be brushed aside, as it can be a warning sign for deeper health issues like anemia, hormonal imbalances, or poor nutrition. “It is important to understand that for many women, symptoms like dizziness, exhaustion, or constant tiredness may not just be lifestyle issues - they are diagnostic clues - stemming from hormonal shifts, chronic stress, underlying conditions, and vital deficiencies,” Dr Kunal Sehgal, Chief Pathologist, Neuberg Sehgal Path Lab, told Times Now.

What is invisible fatigue?

According to Dr Sehgal, invisible fatigue refers to exhaustion that is not always visible to others and often lacks an obvious cause. A woman may look fine on the outside but feel constantly drained, unmotivated, and mentally foggy. This kind of fatigue affects concentration, mood, immunity, and overall quality of life and increases the risk of anxiety, depression, and chronic illness. “Low blood pressure, anemia, chronic stress, and work–life imbalance can quietly erode energy levels, especially for women juggling caregiving roles, household responsibilities, demanding careers, and the added pressure of social media perfection. When these stressors pile up, they often manifest as invisible fatigue, which, when undetected, has the potential to turn into chronic illnesses,” he added.

Anemia adds to the worries?

Experts believe anemia is among the most common yet overlooked causes of fatigue in women, especially in India. Iron deficiency, also known as anemia, affects a large number of women due to menstrual blood loss, pregnancy, poor dietary intake, or absorption issues. Low iron levels reduce the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, leading to constant tiredness, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, and headaches. Many women normalize these symptoms without realizing that a simple blood test could identify the problem.

High stress levels cause fatigue

Stress is another major factor that contributes highly to invisible fatigue, as it keeps your body in a constant “fight or flight” mode. Doctors say it increases cortisol – the stress hormone which disrupts sleep, digestion, and leads to hormone imbalance – thereby causing physical and mental exhaustion.

Hormonal imbalances

Hormonal fluctuations can lead to life-threatening conditions like thyroid disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and perimenopause, which cause persistent fatigue along with weight changes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. Doctors say most of these symptoms develop gradually and are frequently misattributed to lifestyle factors rather than medical causes. “ From a diagnostic point of view, these everyday struggles are not benign; they can mask nutrient deficiencies, hormonal shifts, early cardiovascular changes, and mental health strain. Instead of brushing them aside as ‘just being a woman’ or ‘hormones playing up’, listening to these symptoms early - and testing for what’s underneath - is essential to protecting women’s long-term health,” said Dr Sehgal. Fatigue is not a sign of weakness or laziness. For many women, it is a signal that the body needs attention and care. Recognizing and addressing the underlying causes can restore energy, improve mental clarity, and support long-term health.