Some people feel lightheaded or experience fainting episodes during their period.
Your body undergoes many changes during a normalmenstrual cycle.
Sometimes these changes can heighten certain responses in your body that increase your risk of fainting during your period.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
This article explains the medical reasons why people faint from any cause.
Vasovagal syncope involves both your nervous and cardiac systems.
The nervous system is always sending signals that control heart rate and other vital functions in your body.
One of those nerves is thevagus.
This can cause decreased blood flow to your brain and lead to fainting.
But sometimes, these symptoms come on too fast, and you could’t stop yourself from fainting.
The most common throw in of fainting is called vasovagal syncope.
Certain triggers can cause heart rate and blood pressure to drop.
This reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain and may lead to a fainting episode.
Painful Periods
Pain, in general, is a known trigger for vasovagal syncope.
Primarydysmenorrhea, or a painful period with no underlying cause, is related to a hormone calledprostaglandin.
One of these responses will cause your blood vessels to open wider, a process known asvasodilation.
Your blood pressure can drop when your blood vessels are wider.
It can cause debilitating symptoms and severe pain.
This will both ease your pain and decrease prostaglandin production.
This, in turn, may limit the risk of feeling faint on your period.
Some studies suggest that you should avoid smoking and caffeinated drinks, too.
Not every person with PCOS will necessarily experience all of these symptoms.
PCOS is associated with painful periods, although the exact cause is somewhat unclear.
Some research suggests it may be due to the general hormonal imbalances typically seen in people with PCOS.
Treatment for PCOS can include lifestyle changes, oral contraceptives, and other medications to help withhormones.
Heavy periods also can lead to blood loss that causesanemia.
When you are anemic, the amount of oxygen that your blood can carry is lower.
The amount of flow in a period is relative, however, there are some guidelines.
There are many factors that can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, also calledmenorrhagia.
Some people simply have a more heavy period based on their own genetics and predisposition.
These episodes can happen even if you do not have diabetes.
Low blood sugar levels also may lead to a vasovagal response that causes you to faint.
Don’t skip breakfast, and eat smaller meals more often throughout the day.
Fluid Shifts
Another cause of fainting episodes is linked to fluid shifts in your body.
This may cause edema, or swelling, of the legs and ankles.
It also means there is less blood volume circulating oxygen throughout your body.
Your body reacts to this much as it does to dehydration.
Symptoms of POTS include fatigue, dizziness, and frequent fainting.
Try not to get overheated, and avoid standing for long periods of time.
Also, limit your alcohol consumption.
This will help to decrease your chances of fainting during your period.
If you do feel faint, lie down with your legs raised or sit down.
Summary
Some people do experience fainting spells during their periods.
In many cases, hormonal changes in the body during your period may be part of the reason.
All of these can lead to fainting.
In most cases, though, these episodes are not resulting from a serious medical condition.
Simple diet and lifestyle changes, along with taking the right pain medication, can often prevent fainting.
Your menstrual cycle should not negatively impact your quality of life.
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