Have you ever stood up too quickly and your room spin around, or have a moment of unsteadiness for what felt like no apparent reason? If you’re a woman who’s dizzy, you’re not alone. While dizziness can be scary at any age, the causes of dizziness in women can be uniquely connected to your bodies’ natural rhythms.
The Hormone and Migraine Connection
It’s a well documented fact: women are more likely than men to develop migraines, but that alone is not the full story. In vestibular migraine, some women also develop dizziness and vertigo. One possible culprit? Estrogen. Fluctuations in this hormone, especially the dramatic drop that occurs just before your period, have long been a tried-and-true cause of menstrual migraines. Likewise, these same hormonal shifts can actually make dizziness and vestibular symptoms worse, so that same time of the month is also a time you feel unsteady.
When Your Period Makes You Dizzy
For some women, menstrual cycles are more than just hormonal changes. If you experience heavy menstrual bleeding, it can directly cause fatigue and dizziness. The reason is that heavy bleeding might lead to anemia. Anemia is when your blood does not have enough healthy red blood cells to supply a proper level of oxygen to your body tissues. When your brain isn’t oxygenated correctly, one common result is fatigue and that all too familiar feeling of being dizzy.
Other Causes and Your First Step
While iron deficiency is a common cause of anemia globally, it’s not the sole nutrient to monitor. Shortages of Vitamin B12 and Folate can also lead to balance problems and dizziness. This is why identifying the precise cause is so critical. If you’re managing both persistent dizziness and heavy menstrual cycles, start by talking to your doctor. You can work together to see if the following blood tests are right for you:
CBC (Complete Blood Count): Screens for anemia.
Ferritin: Tests your iron stores (this is a critical test, as you may have low iron stores prior to becoming anemic).
Vitamin B12 and Folate: Ruled out these vitamin deficiencies as the cause.
Dizziness can have many causes, but you don’t have to suffer from it. Understanding why you’re feeling dizzy is the first step to managing it. From inner ear issues to changes in blood pressure, there are numerous likely culprits. We’ve created a free guidebook that explains the other top causes of dizziness in adults and the practical solutions you can adopt to feel better.
