Advertisement
The short answer from a balance disorders specialist
Oh hormones. Those feisty, relentless and crucial little substances in our body that influence how we function. Sometimes our hormones run smoothly without us even noticing and other times they seem to take over control.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
This is especially true of pregnancy hormones and why they sometimes get a bad rep – causing mood swings, changes to your metabolism and feeling dizzy or like the room is spinning around you.
During pregnancy, your blood flow increases to your baby and is slower to return to you in your veins. Add this with changes in position – like standing for too long, lying down or quick movements – and you may be more susceptible to feeling dizzy or lightheaded during pregnancy.
Sometimes, also with hormonal changes, one of the other culprits for causing vertigo is an underlying history of migraines. If you’re more susceptible to migraines, the change in pregnancy hormones could trigger one, and vertigo could be a secondary symptom of it.
The biggest reason for vertigo or dizziness in pregnancy? Hormonal changes.
– Audiologist Julie Honaker, PhD.
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
Dry air and acid reflux are just two of the many possible causes of your scratchy throat
Ear plugs, bathing caps, hydrogen peroxide and hair dryers can all help keep ears clean and dry
The urge to get your home ready for baby often hits in the last trimester — but not everyone experiences it
Baby’s caregivers should be up-to-date on flu, COVID-19 and Tdap vaccines to protect the newborn in their lives
Ob/Gyns are trained physicians who can care for more complex medical needs than midwives, but which you choose depends on your health and comfort
Delaying baby’s first bath can encourage breastfeeding success and strengthen bonding
A breast abscess feels like a hot, hard and painful lump — seek support from a healthcare provider at first signs of an infection
Dry air, allergies or nose-picking may be to blame for nighttime epistaxis
When you get bogged down with mental tasks, you can experience mood changes, sleeplessness and more
You can alternate these OTCs to help with pain management and fever reduction
Non-exercise activity thermogenesis is all the activity we do that’s not technically exercise but is still important to your health and well-being