You may experience dizziness and other symptoms like mood swings before your period, but women may also feel dizzy due to hormonal changes before ovulation.
This is due to high levels of progesterone and estrogen, which affect symptoms. In most cases, dizziness before your period is nothing to worry about.
Causes of dizziness before your period
1. You may have PMS dizziness
Many women experience premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, about five days (or more) before their period. PMS symptoms are caused by hormonal changes in a woman’s body (which cause mood swings and changes in appetite). Although research on PMS dizziness is limited, dizziness may occur due to fluctuating estrogen levels in the body.
2. It Could Be Menstrual Cramps
You may experience dizziness before your period if you suffer from a condition called dysmenorrhea or menstrual cramps. According to one study, dizziness is the second most common symptom of menstrual cramps.
3. It Could Be Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
In addition to PMS and menstrual cramps, women may also experience dizziness due to premenstrual dysphoric disorder. It is called PMDD for short, and in short, this disorder is an extreme version of premenstrual syndrome. Women with this disorder may need medical and psychological treatment, as the symptoms are often very uncomfortable.
4. Pregnancy
During the early stages of pregnancy, progesterone and estrogen levels increase sharply. As a result, this hormonal change causes blood vessels to open up and relax. As a result, the expectant mother will experience a drop in blood pressure. When blood pressure drops, you may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, and other symptoms.
5. Iron Deficiency Anemia
Many women of childbearing age may have low iron levels or anemia. In many cases, this condition is caused by heavy blood loss during menstruation. As a result, women with iron deficiency anemia will experience low oxygen circulation, leading to dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue.
6. Low Blood Sugar
If you have low blood sugar, you will definitely feel dizzy. This is because estrogen affects not only your blood pressure but also your blood sugar levels. During menopause, women may experience changes in blood sugar levels due to changes in estrogen levels. Similarly, changes in estrogen can cause changes in blood sugar levels during menstruation.
7. You have low blood pressure
Women with low blood pressure tend to feel dizzy or lightheaded. This is often due to the sex hormones in the body that regulate blood pressure. For example, estrogen lowers blood pressure (while testosterone raises it). Therefore, high estrogen levels in the week before your period can lead to low blood pressure and dizziness.
8. Menstrual-related migraines can also be the cause
Migraines are a neurological condition in which the patient experiences severe headaches, sometimes accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, and dizziness. Hormonal changes are one of the factors that cause migraines. For example, if you have headaches and feel dizzy before your period, menstrual migraines can be the cause. Some of the reasons for menstrual migraines include serotonin imbalance and increased prostaglandins that cause inflammation.
9. Side effects of medications
We all know that some medications have side effects. For example, if you take any medications such as diuretics, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories, you may experience dizziness and lightheadedness. In addition, these medications can make you more susceptible to dizziness before your period.
10. Some health conditions that can cause dizziness
The following health conditions are not related to your menstrual cycle, but they can still cause dizziness and lightheadedness.
- Chronic migraines
- Meniere’s disease
- Labyrinthitis or other infections
- BPPV or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Often, when these health conditions develop before your menstrual cycle, you may mistake them for symptoms of your period.
Tips you may find helpful to reduce dizziness
- If you feel dizzy before your period and are sure it is due to hormonal changes, you can make lifestyle adjustments to help reduce your symptoms.
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a balanced, nutritious diet
- Get enough quality sleep
- Drink water
For other premenstrual dizziness, such as iron deficiency anemia, you should first get a proper diagnosis. After a blood test, your doctor may prescribe iron supplements or suggest dietary changes.
Patients with low blood pressure should stand up slowly and drink plenty of water, while those with hypoglycemia should eat and drink in moderation.
