Written by Clare Widzgowski
Perimenopause, the transitional time before menopause, has many symptoms associated with it. The symptoms and severity can be different for each person and it can be difficult to recognize symptoms that are related to the menopausal transition, such as dizziness and vertigo.
Vertigo is a type of dizziness where your surroundings feel like they are spinning around you when they actually are at rest. Vertigo is relatively common among both men and women and it is estimated that over the course of a lifespan, 10% of people will experience vertigo. Women experience vertigo at higher rates than men and women around the age of perimenopause experience vertigo more than other demographics.
Vertigo among perimenopausal women could be caused by a few factors.
Vertigo due to unstable blood sugar is linked to estrogens involvement with insulin. When estrogen declines in perimenopause, insulin and its effectiveness also declines. Without insulin to regulate our blood glucose levels, they can fluctuate and cause vertigo.
Vertigo is thought to be due to a dysfunction in the inner ear structure called the otoconia. When the otoconia loses its structure, it also loses its function in regulating balance and our perception of our surroundings. In one study, they found a link between lower estrogen levels and weaker otoconia structure, indicating that women in perimenopause may begin to feel dizzier.
Vertigo may also be due to a cyclical combination of poor sleep quality, anxiety and migraines. A common symptom of perimenopause is sleep problems due to night sweats and other disturbances. This can lead to lower sleep quality, which can exacerbate vertigo symptoms. Hormone changes in perimenopause can also cause migraines, which cause vertigo and may also reduce your quality of sleep if the migraine is keeping you awake at night. A study of Japanese women who visited a menopause clinic found that anxiety was linked with increased episodes of vertigo. Anxiety can also lead to reduced sleep.
Vertigo during perimenopause is common, although vertigo episodes are believed to lessen in post-menopause, they may still occur due to other reasons. If your vertigo is interfering with your quality of life, you should speak to a healthcare professional.
Disclaimer: At It’sFetch.co we strive to provide valuable and reliable health information through our blog. We believe in empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. However, it is important to understand that the content on our blog is not intended to replace the advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified medical professional.
Sources:
Kronemyer, B. (2021, January 25). Vertigo risk factors in perimenopausal women. Contemporary OB/GYN. https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/vertigo-risk-factors-in-perimenopausal-women
Moore, J. (2022, September 27). Yes, it’s true. dizziness at perimenopause is common. MenoMe®. https://www.meno-me.co.nz/perimenopause-menopause-dizziness-vertigo-disequilibrium/
Norris, T. (2023, April 14). Menopause and dizziness: Is it a symptom?. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/menopause-dizziness#diagnosis
Terauchi, M., Odai, T., Hirose, A., Kato, K., Akiyoshi, M., Masuda, M., … & Miyasaka, N. (2018). Dizziness in peri-and postmenopausal women is associated with anxiety: a cross-sectional study. BioPsychoSocial Medicine, 12, 1-7.Weatherspoon, D., & Henry, D. (2020, April 22). Menopause and dizziness: Causes and treatments. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319860#lifestyle-tips
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