Topics Covered in this blog
- Can Fibroids Cause Nausea and Dizziness?
- How Fibroids Affect Your Period
- The Difference Between Nausea and Dizziness
- Solutions for Nausea and Dizziness During Period
- Other Symptoms of Fibroids
- Treatment for Uterine Fibroids
- Find a USA Fibroid Center Near You
If you’ve ever experienced nausea and dizziness during periods, uterine fibroids may be to blame. Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that can vary in size and develop in or on the uterus. They are surprisingly common, with as many as 80 percent of women affected by age 50. You may wonder, “Do fibroids cause nausea?”
Although fibroids are not always bothersome, they can cause a range of painful, uncomfortable, and unpleasant symptoms that include heavy periods, severe menstrual cramps, frequent urination, and low energy levels. Some may also experience nausea and dizziness. Fibroids can impact your life in many ways, which you may need to discuss with your partner in a frank conversation.
Here’s what we’d like you to know about why nausea and dizziness during periods can sometimes occur, when to contact a doctor, and how fibroid treatment may help. You can also use our symptoms checker to determine if uterine fibroids might be the cause of your discomfort.
Can Fibroids Cause Nausea and Dizziness?
Although various health conditions can cause period nausea and dizziness, your doctor may evaluate you for uterine fibroids. Fibroids can often be detected during a routine pelvic exam and confirmed through ultrasound or MRI medical imaging.
Nausea and dizziness during periods are lesser-known symptoms of fibroids, but they do occur. Fibroid degeneration can lead to intense pain as the fibroids outgrow their blood supply. Additional fibroid symptoms include:
- Heavy and prolonged menstruation between or during your periods
- Anemia, which can lead to fatigue
- Pain during intercourse
- Frequent urination
- Constipation and/or bloating
- Pain in your pelvis or lower back
- Increased menstrual cramping
- Stomach swelling
If you are experiencing any of these issues, we encourage you to contact a medical professional to receive an accurate diagnosis and learn about your treatment options.
How Fibroids Affect Your Period
Nausea or queasiness, is the sensation of uneasiness that comes before the urge to vomit. Period nausea is when this sensation occurs before or during menstruation. There’s little doubt that, at times, the combination of symptomatic fibroids and nausea can be intense and make you feel miserable.
While there are many potential causes behind period nausea, one is related to constipation. Another involves dizziness, which we will discuss further in the next section.
Constipation is a common effect of fibroids and occurs when a buildup of stool is inside your intestinal tract. It is typically defined as having fewer or harder bowel movements than is normal. However, keep in mind that what is considered “normal” can vary from person to person.
When you are constipated, your entire gastrointestinal tract can be thrown off balance. This can result in nausea. Women with symptomatic fibroids can experience both constipation and constipation-related nausea during their periods.
If you are constipated, you may be able to find some relief by:
- Eating foods rich in fiber
- Exercising regularly
- Drinking plenty of water
If you are experiencing nausea during periods and suspect you may have fibroids, be sure to contact your doctor. Often, the most effective relief involves treating the fibroids themselves.
Dizziness During Period
The term dizziness describes a range of sensations that include feeling faint, unsteady, off-balance, or weak. Dizziness can also describe a sense of vertigo; when this occurs, you may feel that you or your surroundings are spinning or swaying. When dizziness is severe, it is common also to experience nausea.
One potential reason for dizziness during periods is anemia. If you suffer from anemia, your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen from the lungs to different parts of the body, or there is a shortage of an iron-rich protein called hemoglobin (Hb).
While there are many potential causes behind the development of anemia, one involves excessive menstrual bleeding. Heavy bleeding is one of the most common fibroid symptoms.
If you are anemic, you may experience:
- Fatigue and loss of energy
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Unusually rapid heartbeat
- Pale or yellow skin
- Cold hands and feet
Keep in mind that your dizziness during periods may not be related to anemia or uterine fibroids at all. Variations in estrogen levels, which occur in the days surrounding menstruation, may be the cause. Alternatively, your dizziness may have nothing to do with your periods.
To resolve dizziness, you first need to understand what is causing it. The best way to figure this out is to contact your doctor. Be prepared to share information on when, exactly, your dizziness occurs. If you have any other fibroid symptoms, be sure to also mention these during your appointment.
Nausea During Period
Nausea around your period can happen for various reasons. It can be caused by cramping and abdominal pain, which makes you feel sick to your stomach. Severe cramping is more likely to lead to nausea than mild symptoms. If you suffer from PMS migraines, nausea is a common side effect. Your digestive system may be upset during this time because of the change in hormones, which can lead to feeling nauseous during a period.
Some medical conditions, which affect your period, can also cause nausea. Endometriosis is one such condition. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can cause nausea, fever, and pain.
The Difference Between Nausea and Dizziness
Nausea relates to a queasy feeling in your stomach. It can lead to vomiting or just make you think you might. It can happen when you are moving, standing, or lying down.
Dizziness is the sensation of being off-balance. You may feel lightheaded or as if everything is in motion. It is often associated with vertigo and constant movement even when you’re standing still. Dizziness is often alleviated when you lie down even though it is possible to still feel dizzy when you are lying still.
Solutions for Nausea and Dizziness During Period
If you suffer from nausea during your period, you should drink plenty of liquids to stay hydrated even if you don’t feel like eating. Ginger and peppermint are both known to calm the stomach. Keep meals small or eat bland snacks to help prevent nausea from returning. A cold compress on the head can help with both nausea and dizziness. Fresh air is another natural reliever that can help you stay cool, reducing nausea and dizziness.
You can find antinausea medication over the counter, which may help with a mild case. If nausea or dizziness is more severe, you may need a doctor to provide a prescription strength medication.
If fibroids cause nausea and dizziness, most natural remedies won’t alleviate the symptoms. You can find temporary relief from resting and OTC pain medication. We recommend consulting with a fibroid specialist for a diagnosis and treatment.
Other Symptoms of Fibroids
For some women, period nausea and dizziness due to uterine fibroids can be severe and debilitating. You may be moody and irritable, which can affect social relationships. You may also find yourself regularly calling in sick to work, which can impact career advancement.
If your overall quality of life is negatively impacted by fibroids, we recommend contacting a fibroid treatment specialist as soon as possible. If you are suffering from fibroid symptoms like nausea and dizziness, you will most likely need to address these at their root source.
Treatment for Uterine Fibroids
If you are avoiding the doctor because you fear surgery, we want to set your mind at ease. Many women believe that a hysterectomy, the complete surgical removal of the uterus, is the only available fibroid treatment. Fortunately, we know this isn’t true.
At USA Fibroid Centers, we offer a minimally-invasive, non-surgical fibroid treatment called Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE). UFE can relieve your symptoms, preserve your uterus, and quickly get you back to normal life.
UFE is performed as an outpatient procedure. It takes only 30 to 45 minutes and you can go home afterward to begin your recovery. Most individuals are back to normal activities within one to two weeks. Contact USA Fibroid Centers!
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION ONLINE
Find a USA Fibroid Center Near You
There’s no need to suffer from fibroid symptoms like nausea and dizziness during periods any longer. To take your first steps towards a better life, schedule an initial consultation online or call 855.615.2555.
Because we understand that you may have safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are now offering a choice of in-person or telemedicine appointments. We also want to assure you that we are following strict precautionary measures at all of our clinic locations.
No matter how, when, or where you schedule your visit, we look forward to meeting you and helping you take back control of your life!
Sources:
Medical News Today (November 2020) Nausea during Period: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention.
