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You may experience dizziness and other symptoms such as mood swings before your period. If you’re here, you’re likely wondering about the common causes associated with feeling dizzy before getting your menstrual cycle. In most cases, dizziness before your period is nothing to be worried about. However, dizziness before a period can also happen due to other conditions. In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about PMS dizziness and other symptoms you may experience besides mood swings. You’ll also educate yourself on other symptoms, such as constipation before your period. If this sounds good, this article will be perfect for you.

Of course, never self-diagnose. We always recommend consulting with a healthcare professional for expert advice. It’s best you make a gynecology appointment in case you have any concerns.

That being said, here are the 10 most common causes of dizziness before your period. Let’s begin.

Top 10 Reasons Why You Experience Dizziness Before a Period

Below, you’ll read about the most frequent conditions related to dizziness before a woman’s menstrual cycle. Although some of the causes below are mild, some are more severe and may require immediate medical attention. If you’re looking for reliable professionals, we suggest Women’s Health Center in Boca Raton. The reasons include:

You Might Experience PMS Dizziness

Many women experience premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, about five days (or more) before a menstrual cycle. Symptoms of PMS occur due to hormonal changes in the woman’s body (causing mood swings and changes in appetite). Although the research on PMS dizziness is limited, lightheadedness can occur due to fluctuating estrogen levels in the body.

It Could Be Dysmenorrhea

 

Woman Suffering From Sense of Spinning

You might experience dizziness before your period if you have a condition called dysmenorrhea or painful periods. According to the results of a study, dizziness ranked second on the list of most common dysmenorrhea symptoms. 

Maybe It’s Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Besides PMS dizziness and dysmenorrhea, women can also feel lightheaded due to premenstrual dysphoric disorder. It’s known as PMDD for short, and in a nutshell, this disorder is an extreme version of premenstrual syndrome. Women with this disorder might need medical and psychological treatment, as the symptoms are typically very disruptive. 

You Could Be Pregnant

During the earliest stages of pregnancy, progesterone and estrogen levels drastically increase. As a result, this hormone shift causes the blood vessels to open and relax. Due to this, the soon-to-be mother will experience a blood pressure drop. When blood pressure decreases, you can experience lightheadedness, dizziness, and other symptoms.

You May Have Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Many women of childbearing age may be iron-deficient or anemic. In numerous cases, this condition occurs due to heavy blood loss during menstrual cycles. As a result, iron-deficient anemic women experience low oxygen circulation, resulting in lightheadedness, dizziness, and fatigue.

It Could Be Due to Low Blood Sugar

If you have low blood sugar, you’re bound to feel dizzy. This is because estrogen doesn’t only influence blood pressure but also the levels of blood sugar in your body. During menopause, women can experience blood sugar variations due to shifting estrogen levels. Similarly, estrogen shifts can cause blood sugar level changes during a menstrual period.

Or Perhaps It’s Low Blood Pressure

Women with low blood pressure tend to feel dizzy or lightheaded. This usually happens due to the sex hormones in the body that regulate blood pressure. For example, estrogen decreases blood pressure (while testosterone boosts it). Therefore, estrogen levels are high during the week before a menstrual cycle, leading to low blood pressure and dizziness.

Period-Related Migraines Could Also Be a Cause

A migraine is a neurological condition during which a patient experiences painful headaches, sometimes accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, and dizziness. Hormonal shifts are one of the triggers for migraines. For example, if you have headaches and feel dizzy before your period, a menstrual migraine could be the cause. Some of the reasons menstrual migraines happen include serotonin imbalance and a boost in inflammatory prostaglandins.

It Could Be a Side Effect of Medications

We all know that some medications have adverse effects. For example, if you take any medications such as diuretics, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories, you may experience dizziness and lightheadedness. Also, these types of medications can make you more prone to dizziness before a menstrual cycle.

Some Health Conditions Can Cause Dizziness

The following health conditions are unrelated to a menstrual cycle, but they can still cause lightheadedness and dizziness. These include:

  • Chronic migraine
  • Meniere’s disease
  • Labyrinthitis or other infections
  • BPPV or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Often, when these health conditions develop before a menstrual cycle, you may mistake them for your period symptoms.

Symptoms That Accompany Dizziness

Besides dizziness, you’ll often experience an additional symptom before your menstrual cycle. For dysmenorrhea, PMDD, and PMS, some common symptoms include insomnia, mood swings, and GI discomfort. Fluctuating hormones can also cause constipation before your period, as well as mood swings, appetite changes, and fatigue.

Pregnant women may experience early pregnancy symptoms such as fatigue, morning sickness, or frequent urination. 

If you have low blood pressure or low blood sugar, you can expect additional severe signs such as shaking, sweating, or in some extreme cases, loss of consciousness. If you experience these symptoms, you should seek out professional help immediately. 

When it comes to migraine attacks, the neurological signs are similar. Luckily, the symptoms usually pass after the attack.

Why Am I Dizzy Before My Period?

In most cases, dizziness before a menstrual cycle happens due to fluctuating hormones in the body. For example, estrogen levels rise twice during a period: During the follicular phase and the luteal phase. One of the rises in estrogen levels happens just before a menstrual cycle — this is when you may experience dizziness. In many cases, due to hormones, women can also experience constipation before a period.

That being said, women can also feel dizzy due to hormonal shifts before ovulating. This is because progesterone and estrogen levels are high, influencing symptoms.

How Can I Alleviate Dizziness?

 

Beautiful Young Slim Woman Is Tying Laces After Jogging Along Embankment of River, London.

Fortunately, there is plenty you can do to alleviate dizziness and lightheadedness. If you feel dizzy before your menstrual cycle and are sure that it is because of hormonal changes, you can make lifestyle adjustments to help with symptoms. These include:

  • Getting regular exercise
  • Eating a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet
  • Getting enough quality sleep
  • Drinking water

As for the other dizziness caused before a menstrual cycle, such as iron deficiency anemia, you will need to get a proper diagnosis first. After the blood tests, your doctor may prescribe an iron supplement or suggest dietary changes.

Patients with low blood pressure should stand up slowly and keep hydrated, while those with low blood sugar should eat regularly. 

It’s also helpful if you are mindful of the habits that affect your hormone levels. For example, people who experience chronic stress, are overweight, and have an imbalanced diet are more likely to experience disrupted hormones. 

As always, make sure to consult with a healthcare specialist first before self-diagnosing and self-medicating. This way, you’ll receive the right treatment for your condition.

Give Us a Call Today

We know how hard it is to find a good clinic with expert staff. That’s why our goal is to give you only the best service you need. So give us a call today and schedule an appointment for professional results.

Dr. Ellman is a Board Certified OBGYN who established his medical practice in South Florida over 25 years ago. His office, Women’s Healthcare of Boca Raton, is located in Boca Raton, Florida at West Boca Medical Center. Dr. Ellman attended Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, where he received his medical degree. He went on to intern at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston- an affiliate of Harvard Medical School- and continued his residency at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York- an affiliate of Cornell Medical School.

Dr. Ellman has practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Boca Raton area since 1995. In addition to treating patients at West Boca Hospital, Dr. Ellman also treats patients through his own private practice, Women’s Healthcare of Boca Raton, located on the West Boca Medical Campus.

Published On: March 1st, 2022