Although researchers don’t know the exact reasons for increases in dizziness during perimenopause and menopause, they have explored some possible causes.
Blood sugar
Hormones play an important role in balancing your blood sugar levels. Hormone changes during menopause affect how your body responds to insulin. That makes it hard for your body to keep your blood sugar stable. Changes to blood sugar levels can make you dizzy.
Middle ear changes
Changes in female hormones are known to affect your inner ears, which are critical to your sense of balance. Some women report changes in balance, sinuses, and hearing before menstruation. It’s possible that hormonal changes during menopause may also affect your ears.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common symptom during menopause and can lead to dizziness. It’s hard for your body to function at its best if you feel exhausted.
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Hot flashes
According to one study, women who experience hot flashes were more prone to episodes of vertigo (a spinning sensation) than women who don’t have hot flashes.
Nervous and cardiovascular systems
Changes in your estrogen levels can affect your cardiovascular and nervous systems. You can easily get dizzy when either or both of these systems aren’t properly functioning.
Aging
People are more likely to experience vertigo as they age, more so for women than men. One study found vertigo to be just as common in women aged 40 to 59 with menopause as those without. That means that dizziness may be a symptom of aging, not menopause. More research is needed to better understand this connection and why vertigo is more common in women than men.
Migraines
In some women, migraines may increase incidences of dizziness. Migraines and dizziness are two of the most common complaints among women in the early stages of menopause. The changes in hormones during perimenopause can trigger migraines. If you have a history of migraines, this may result in an increase in frequency of migraines.
Dizziness unrelated to menopause
Dizziness may be caused by things unrelated to menopause. Common causes are:
- dehydration
- anxiety and panic attacks, which can sometimes be linked with menopause
- inner-ear disease such as Meniere’s disease, especially if your dizziness comes with hearing loss
- allergies or sinus infection
- low blood pressure