Low blood pressure and periods: any advice?

Anyone else deal with their blood pressure dropping during their period? It’s a thing where they already have low BP, and then it just tanks...

For me, I end up passing out if I have to stand still for too long. Luckily, it's only those three critical days, so I try to avoid it, but life happens—I still have to get to class or hit the grocery store...

🙄

Yes, it happens quite frequently, even outside of my menstrual cycle 😢

And today is just a miserable day; I've had a splitting headache since the moment I woke up
When the barometric pressure is this low, I've realized that strong coffee doesn't help at all. Instead, what actually works is eating salty sardines... I keep a jar of them in the fridge specifically for days like this... All I need is to eat two or three sardines, drink plenty of water, and then I start feeling a bit better 🙂

I’ve been dealing with this my whole life.

Honestly, there isn't much you can do besides listening to your body. You eventually learn a few "tricks" to help manage when standing up just isn't an option.
For me, the biggest thing was making sure I wasn't hungry—but if I was? I had to have a chocolate bar ready to go. Even then, I'd forget! One time, I almost passed out at a farmer's market right in front of a fruit stand. I went out during a total heatwave, which was definitely a bad move.

At the end of the day, you just learn how to live with it...

I’m also one of those low blood pressure people, and man, I absolutely cannot handle the heat. Even now, the dizziness is already starting to kick in. Interestingly enough, despite keeping a regular eye on my readings, I haven't noticed any actual link between how much water I drink and my pressure dropping.

I’m pretty sure I’ll make it to 100.
😁

granitebadger25 said:with the barometric pressure being this crappy, I realized strong coffee isn't the fix... it's actually salty sardines. I keep a jar of them in the fridge for days like this... just eating 2 or 3 and drinking tons of water makes me feel a bit better 🙂

I gotta try that!!! 👍

If it actually works, I'll buy you dinner! 😉 😘

Maybe try sipping some beet juice during your period...

Definitely pair that with some salty fish and a glass of red wine.😉

😕 My blood pressure is perfectly normal—I checked it just this morning!—and yet, I’m experiencing every single one of those symptoms you mentioned... 😕

Beyond just dealing with incredibly low iron levels, I struggle with poor circulation, which basically turns me into a zombie whenever my period hits. It’s not just that things drag on forever and I feel completely drained; I actually get these dizzy spells where I feel intensely weak.
During those weeks, I make a conscious effort to stay active and drink massive amounts of water. If that doesn't cut it, I end up leaning on over-the-counter pain relievers.
I've been dealing with this since I was thirteen. My doctor keeps telling me everything will stabilize once I eventually have children, but until then, the advice is always the same: manage my stress, get more rest, and keep up with some exercise...

I also struggle with really low blood pressure, but mostly just during my PMS window.
Does anyone know if there’s any advice out there on how to handle this?
(My doctor basically told me that medication isn't much help and that I should just start working out more. Like, hello?? I am definitely not a fitness enthusiast! 😁)
Are there any "old school" home remedies or anything else that actually works?

Hannah Scott69 said:Anyone else deal with low blood pressure getting even worse during their period...?

Yeah, me too—honestly, I pass out even when it’s not that time of the month. Last time, my doctor couldn't even get a reading because it was so low.

Pro tip: try not to just stand there like a statue. Apparently, if you feel a faint coming on, tensing up your glutes helps push the blood back up from your legs. Also, carry water and some glucose tabs—and if things get bad, just bend over and hang your head for a few seconds...

People say you just learn to live with low BP.😛

I'm right there with you 😢

It’s basically impossible for me to just stand still in one spot for any length of time, regardless of whether I've eaten, had a drink, or grabbed some salty snacks or whatever...

I mean, I actually have a ton of energy most of the time, but my blood pressure really does a number on me (those of you with low blood pressure will know exactly what I mean 😁), and I'll get this sudden dizzy spell, and then I'm fine again, I guess...

The subway system is an absolute nightmare for me... whether I'm sitting down or standing up, it's all bad

I've just gotten used to feeling a little lightheaded all the time... I don't let it bother me as much anymore, though I try to watch what I eat, and I always keep chocolate bars and water on me and stuff like that...

Better low than high, anyway, I suppose

Salty snacks for low blood pressure. Obviously. It’s not even about the snack itself, it’s just the salt. Salt is great when your pressure is bottoming out. If you ever heard people with high BP say they need to dodge salt, just know it’s our best friend.

I've been dealing with low blood pressure for years, so here's what I've learned from living through it.

It hits me hardest in the morning. If my phone rings or someone knocks and I jump out of bed too fast, I practically collapse. I've trained myself to sit up first, chill there for maybe 5-10 seconds, then slowly stand up and grab a glass of water. Best way to start the day. If you're a coffee person—go for it. One cup in the morning or just getting moving helps. I do yoga, so I usually knock out a few Sun Salutations to wake up.
Moving your body is huge if you have low BP. Any kind of sport, cycling, running, walking, aerobics, yoga—just move.

Salt your veggies, meat, fish... you actually need more salt. And drink at least 2 liters of water a day, spread out evenly.

As for periods, losing blood makes you feel weak and lightheaded—could be an iron deficiency. Eat red meat, liver, beets, have some red wine, or honestly, just grab some iron supplements and take them as needed.

Brenda Rodriguez17 says she always keeps chocolate on hand. That’s more about sugar crashes than blood pressure. Even so, chocolate isn't really the fix because while it spikes your sugar fast, it crashes just as quickly. To avoid that, just carry some fruit and eat it before you feel like passing out. It’ll steady your sugar better and keep it there longer than candy will.

liver

haha
it's been forever since I heard someone use that word
🙂