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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I just want to sleep before my period

18 replies

CaragianettE · 15/10/2025 22:20

I’m currently due for my period. I have so much work to do. All I want to do is sleep. I have terrible brain fog and don’t want to have to do anything difficult or make decisions. I know we all feel like that sometimes but I really struggle at this time of the month, and for the first few days of my period too. It’s really affecting me at work as I just don’t function normally for about a week a month. I know IABU. I just feel like I need help. How do people cope with this?

OP posts:
ForeverHopeful3 · 15/10/2025 22:29

Its hard to say you're being unreasonable or not since we don't have many details about anything... I just started my period on Monday and today I was sooo exhausted. Spent all day in bed, didn't do anything besides meditate for a few hours in the early morning. I just feel tired.

youalright · 15/10/2025 22:34

I was the same went on the mini pill now im alright

Naturallyalmond23 · 15/10/2025 22:35

This happens to me. It is a lack of iron. Take iron tablets consistently and you will feel much better.

Is your period relatively heavy when it comes?

I have such a bad case of this that if I do not take iron tablets, I could be in a meeting and momentarily fall asleep. No amount of sleeping helps. The tiredness is overwhelming. I became aware of this when, after taking a blood test, which happened to be a few days before my period, my iron level showed up so low that I got a call from my doctor who was very concerned. It is then it became clear what was happening and I was placed on iron tablets. If I do not take them, the problem rears its head again.

youalright · 15/10/2025 22:38

Naturallyalmond23 · 15/10/2025 22:35

This happens to me. It is a lack of iron. Take iron tablets consistently and you will feel much better.

Is your period relatively heavy when it comes?

I have such a bad case of this that if I do not take iron tablets, I could be in a meeting and momentarily fall asleep. No amount of sleeping helps. The tiredness is overwhelming. I became aware of this when, after taking a blood test, which happened to be a few days before my period, my iron level showed up so low that I got a call from my doctor who was very concerned. It is then it became clear what was happening and I was placed on iron tablets. If I do not take them, the problem rears its head again.

Edited

Actually this is a good point I was always anemic the reason the mini pill has probably resolved all my issues is because I no longer have periods so im no longer anemic

Original poster
CaragianettE · 15/10/2025 22:38

Naturallyalmond23 · 15/10/2025 22:35

This happens to me. It is a lack of iron. Take iron tablets consistently and you will feel much better.

Is your period relatively heavy when it comes?

I have such a bad case of this that if I do not take iron tablets, I could be in a meeting and momentarily fall asleep. No amount of sleeping helps. The tiredness is overwhelming. I became aware of this when, after taking a blood test, which happened to be a few days before my period, my iron level showed up so low that I got a call from my doctor who was very concerned. It is then it became clear what was happening and I was placed on iron tablets. If I do not take them, the problem rears its head again.

Edited

Yes, I have heavy periods. Constantly bouncing back to the doctor asking for another iron blood test and more tablets. I wish they would just prescribe me iron tablets on a permanent basis!

OP posts:
DeanStockwelll · 15/10/2025 22:40

I am the same , my periods are not that heavy but by god I could sleep for a week a few days before I am due on.

Hayley1256 · 15/10/2025 22:42

CaragianettE · 15/10/2025 22:38

Yes, I have heavy periods. Constantly bouncing back to the doctor asking for another iron blood test and more tablets. I wish they would just prescribe me iron tablets on a permanent basis!

Show quote history

Iron tablets are cheap buy, definitely cheaper than a prescription

Naturallyalmond23 · 15/10/2025 22:42

youalright · 15/10/2025 22:38

Actually this is a good point I was always anemic the reason the mini pill has probably resolved all my issues is because I no longer have periods so im no longer anemic

Show quote history

That too helped me but when I turned 36, I had to come off the pill. So I had to go back on iron tablets. I do not take it consistently because I hate taking pills but without fail, if I do not take them, I get so tired that I can momentarily fall even in meetings and there are times when I struggle to keep awake speaking to people.

Crudd99 · 15/10/2025 22:43

Try taking magnesium , vit Bs and omega 3s. They help with the tiredness.

Naturallyalmond23 · 15/10/2025 22:44

@CaragianettE if you have heavy periods, then like me, your tiredness must be overwhelming. I was prescribed high dose iron tablets on a long term basis. My doctor was alarmed by just how low it gets before my period.

Naturallyalmond23 · 15/10/2025 22:46

By the way, you must take your iron tablet with vitamin C in order for it to be absorbed by your body.

samplesalequeen · 15/10/2025 22:47

I wish we were more understanding of the difficulties of heavy periods and that absolute exhaustion that can go with it.

Bigneonsign · 15/10/2025 22:48

Recently had similar issues! GP prescribed me a drowsy making antihistamine and I take it with melatonin and magnesium.

Original poster
CaragianettE · 15/10/2025 22:48

Hayley1256 · 15/10/2025 22:42

Iron tablets are cheap buy, definitely cheaper than a prescription

Show quote history

The problem is I just don’t seem to be able to digest anything but the prescription ones. I’m actually taking ferrous fumarate 210mg over the counter from Boots which in theory is exactly what I get on prescription, but somehow the Boots one gives me terrible heartburn, the prescription one does not…

OP posts:
Original poster
CaragianettE · 15/10/2025 22:50

Crudd99 · 15/10/2025 22:43

Try taking magnesium , vit Bs and omega 3s. They help with the tiredness.

Thanks! I take a vitamin B complex. Been wondering about magnesium. What kind do you take?

OP posts:
FruitMergeAddict · 15/10/2025 22:53

Also look into genetic causes of low b12 which can be remedied by simple cheap injection you do yourself. Get a genetic test done yourself and you can identify if you have the relevant mutations which stop you processing b12. You can look ok on a blood test but not have enough in your brain.

Hayley1256 · 15/10/2025 23:03

CaragianettE · 15/10/2025 22:48

The problem is I just don’t seem to be able to digest anything but the prescription ones. I’m actually taking ferrous fumarate 210mg over the counter from Boots which in theory is exactly what I get on prescription, but somehow the Boots one gives me terrible heartburn, the prescription one does not…

Show quote history

Try comparing the ingredients, hope you find some that helps.

I use to take a liquid womens supplement that had iron in it - ill try and find the name. It really helped with my energy levels as did eating a lot of protein

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