Though its an unexpected symptom, dizziness can occur during your period.

Reproductive problems like heavy menstrual bleeding, period pain, and hormonal changes may cause dizziness.

Or, the hormonal changes during your period may trigger dizziness due to a balance disorder.

Dizzy woman blurry portrait

Nick Dolding / Getty Images

Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, the pigment in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

When iron is depleted, anemia develops, and your body doesn’t get enough oxygen.

Anemia may cause dizziness.

Heavy periods cause a significant drop in red blood cells, especially if your periods are always heavy.

The anemia worsens if your body doesn’t fully replace the cells before your next period.

Dizziness and fainting are common symptoms of low blood pressure.

Iron-Deficiency Anemia Symptoms

A lack of dietary iron or problems absorbing iron may cause anemia.

However, the most common cause is excessive blood loss, including heavy menstrual bleeding.

Anemia frequently causes:

Your brain is very sensitive to the smallest changes in oxygen concentrations in your blood.

When your brain senses a relative lack of oxygen, you likely will become dizzy.

Hormonal Changes

Hormone levels change during each monthlymenstrual cycle.

Estrogen levels drop just before your period.

Estrogen regulates many areas beyond the reproductive system.

It has a role in balance and proprioception, which is the sense of body position and movement.

More research is needed to verify the association between low estrogen and period dizziness.

Period Pain

More than half of women have mild to moderate monthly cramps.

A few examples includeendometriosis,uterine fibroids, andadenomyosis.

Severe period pain can also be due to urinary disorders orCrohn’s disease.

By comparison,PMDDcauses severe emotional and physical symptoms that interfere youre your ability to engage in daily activities.

PMDD typically occurs in the week before and for several days after your period.

PMDD symptoms include:

Despite not being on the list of symptoms, PMDD can cause dizziness.

Stress, anxiety, fatigue, strong emotions, and physical pain can make you dizzy.

Somebalance disordersmay worsen due to hormonal changes during your period.

Your healthcare provider will find the cause and recommend treatment when needed.

Dizziness is also a sign of heart attacks and strokes.

Period dizziness can also be associated with non-period health conditions like balance disorders.

Ear problems, neurological conditions, and dehydration are some conditions that may cause dizziness.

See your healthcare provider if you have repeated, frequent, or worsening episodes of dizziness.

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