• Menstruation also referred to as period, is normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as part of a woman's monthly cycle.
• According to Planned Parenthood, during the menstrual cycle, hormones make the eggs in the ovaries mature thereby preparing them to be fertilized by a sperm cell.
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Hormonal shifts that occur during the menstruation cycle might result in most women feeling dizzy and even faint.
According to VeryWell Health, fluid shifts might result in a woman fainting during their periods.
When the amount of fluid in the bloodstream is less, bodies are unable to adjust to the changes during the cycle thereby resulting in dizziness.
This has become an extreme concern among women which needs to be addressed.
What is menstruation?
Menstruation also referred to as period, is the normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as part of a woman's monthly cycle.
According to Planned Parenthood, during the menstrual cycle, hormones make the eggs in the ovaries mature thereby preparing them to be fertilized by a sperm cell.
“These hormones also make the lining of your uterus thick and spongy. If the egg gets fertilized, it has a nice cushy place to land and start a pregnancy,” Planned Parenthood noted.
The lining of the uterus is made of tissue and blood and has a lot of nutrients which help a pregnancy grow.
Once the egg leaves the ovary, it travels through the fallopian tubes toward the uterus.
If pregnancy doesn’t happen, the body releases the thick lining in the uterus which breaks down, in the form of blood, and nutrients. The tissues, therefore, flow out of the body through the vagina as periods.
World Health Organisation (WHO) states that on average, a woman menstruates for about seven years during their lifetime.
"The first period can be met with either celebration, fear or concern. For every girl, this signifies an important transition to womanhood," WHO noted.
Severe effects of menstruation
Menstruation symptoms may vary from one person to another.
According to the Office on Women's Health (OWH), over 90 percent of women get premenstrual symptoms also known as Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
PMS is a combination of symptoms that many women get about a week or two before their period.
These may include; bloating, headaches, and moodiness.
“For some women, these symptoms may be so severe that they miss work or school, but other women are not bothered by milder symptoms. On average, women in their 30s are most likely to have PMS,” OWH noted.
Speaking to a gynaecologist, Dr Ruth Lusike, she said fainting during periods might be a result of heavy or excess bleeding.
"When a woman bleeds heavily during their periods, blood levels tend to lower which might result in fainting," Lusike said.
VeryWell Health adds that the body reacts to the changes just like when a person is dehydrated.
“This may cause a drop in blood pressure when you stand or move, called orthostatic hypotension, which can lead to fainting,” VeryWell Health noted.
Most women get their first period between ages 12 and 14. However, some get them earlier or later than that.
“There is no way to know exactly when you’ll get it, but you may feel some Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) a few days before it happens,” Planned Parenthood noted.
Other effects during menstruation include; stomach cramps, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and acne.
How to manage Premenstrual Syndrome
Women can manage or reduce premenstrual syndrome by changing their diet, exercise and daily life activities.
Mayo Clinic encourages women to eat small but more-frequent meals to reduce bloating and the sensation of fullness.
“Limit salt and salty foods to reduce bloating and fluid retention. Choose foods high in complex carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains and foods rich in calcium,” Mayo Clinic noted.
“If you can't tolerate dairy products or aren't getting adequate calcium in your diet, a daily calcium supplement may help.”
During menstruation, women have also been urged to avoid caffeine and alcohol.
They should further engage in at least 30 minutes of brisk walking, cycling, swimming or other aerobic activity most days of the week.
“Regular daily exercise can help improve your overall health and alleviate certain symptoms, such as fatigue and a depressed mood,” Mayo Clinic noted.
Further, they should reduce stress and get plenty of sleep.
This can be done by practising progressive muscle relaxation or deep-breathing exercises to help reduce headaches, anxiety or insomnia.
One can also try yoga or massage to relax and relieve stress.