When Tired Is a Medical Condition: Recognizing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Women
Everyone feels tired from time to time. But what happens when that exhaustion doesn’t go away—no matter how much rest you get? When everyday tasks like showering, walking to the mailbox, or reading a short article leave you feeling depleted? For millions of women, this isn’t just burnout. It’s a medical condition called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)—also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS).
As we recognize Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Day on May 12, it’s time to shine a light on a condition that is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or dismissed entirely. At Ms.Medicine, we believe women deserve to be heard, believed, and supported in their pursuit of answers. That starts with awareness and education—because persistent fatigue isn’t always “just stress.”
What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a complex, multi-system condition that causes profound exhaustion, cognitive issues, and a host of other symptoms that significantly impair daily life. The hallmark of CFS is post-exertional malaise—a worsening of symptoms after physical or mental activity that would not have previously caused fatigue.
Other common symptoms include:
Persistent fatigue not improved by rest
Brain fog or difficulty concentrating (often called “cognitive dysfunction”)
Muscle or joint pain without swelling or inflammation
Sleep disturbances or unrefreshing sleep
Dizziness, especially when standing up
Headaches, sore throat, or tender lymph nodes
The severity and presentation of symptoms vary between individuals, which can make diagnosis challenging. Many patients go years without a proper explanation for their condition, often being told their symptoms are “in their head” or due to depression, anxiety, or stress.
Why Women Are Disproportionately Affected
Research suggests that women are two to four times more likely to be diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome than men. While the exact reason for this disparity remains unclear, several factors may play a role:
Hormonal fluctuations during menstruation, perimenopause, or menopause may influence immune and nervous system regulation.
Bias in the medical system has historically led to women’s symptoms being dismissed, minimized, or misattributed to psychological causes.
Autoimmune tendencies, which are more common in women, may overlap with CFS pathology.
As a result, many women spend years searching for answers—navigating skepticism, gaslighting, and the emotional toll of not being believed. This delayed diagnosis can worsen symptoms and disrupt careers, relationships, and overall quality of life.
The Diagnostic Challenges of CFS
One of the most frustrating aspects of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is how difficult it can be to get a diagnosis. There is no single test for CFS. Instead, diagnosis is made based on clinical history, symptom presentation, and the exclusion of other possible conditions such as thyroid disease, anemia, sleep apnea, or autoimmune disorders.
Many women report that their CFS symptoms began after:
A viral infection, such as Epstein-Barr virus or COVID-19
A major physical trauma or surgery
A period of prolonged emotional stress
Pregnancy or a major hormonal shift
Unfortunately, if initial lab work comes back normal, some providers may conclude there’s “nothing wrong,” leading patients to feel dismissed or even ashamed of their symptoms.
That’s where comprehensive, patient-centered care makes a difference. At Ms.Medicine, our clinicians take the time to listen, explore patterns, and pursue an accurate diagnosis through thorough evaluation and referral when appropriate.
CFS and the Long COVID Connection
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, awareness of post-viral illness has increased dramatically. Many individuals with Long COVID report symptoms nearly identical to those experienced by CFS patients: overwhelming fatigue, brain fog, post-exertional malaise, and dysautonomia.
This overlap has led to renewed interest in researching CFS and greater empathy for those living with long-term fatigue. Still, it remains crucial to ensure that all patients—regardless of when their symptoms began—have access to support and medical care.
Managing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
While there is currently no cure for CFS, management strategies can significantly improve quality of life. Because CFS affects multiple systems, a multidisciplinary approach is often most effective.
Supportive strategies include:
1. Pacing and Energy Conservation
Learning how to manage energy through pacing—balancing activity with rest and avoiding crashes—is one of the most important tools for patients. This includes listening to the body’s early warning signs and planning around one’s energy envelope.
2. Sleep Optimization
Though many patients with CFS struggle with unrefreshing sleep, improving sleep hygiene, exploring non-habit-forming sleep aids, and ruling out underlying disorders like sleep apnea can help.
3. Nutritional Support
A personalized nutrition plan may help reduce inflammation and support overall energy. In some cases, supplements or dietary changes may ease symptoms.
4. Medication for Symptom Relief
While there’s no universal medication for CFS, certain prescriptions may help with specific symptoms such as pain, sleep, or mood. Low-dose naltrexone, antihistamines, or medications to regulate blood pressure in cases of dysautonomia are being explored with promising results.
5. Mental Health Support
CFS is not a psychological disorder—but living with a chronic illness can lead to depression, anxiety, or grief. Access to mental health support that validates rather than pathologizes the condition is essential.
6. Finding a Provider Who Listens
This is perhaps the most critical part of care. Patients need a provider who believes them, respects their lived experience, and works collaboratively on a care plan tailored to their individual needs.
Restoring Trust in the Medical System
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome challenges our healthcare system to do better. It demands that we slow down, listen more closely, and believe patients even when their lab results don’t tell the full story.
At Ms.Medicine, we’re committed to raising the standard for women’s healthcare—including how we recognize and respond to conditions like CFS. Through extended visits, personalized evaluation, and trauma-informed care, our providers create a space where patients can feel safe, validated, and supported.
If you're experiencing long-term fatigue, feel unheard in the medical system, or wonder if your symptoms might point to something more than everyday tiredness, we encourage you to reach out. Your symptoms are real. Your experience matters. And you deserve care that reflects that.
This Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Day, let’s replace dismissal with understanding—and redefine what it means to truly care for women living with invisible illness.
