shortness of breath during menstrual cycle

[katlc]

what could cause shortness of breath during my menstrual cycle?  this began when i was 11 years old and i've now been dealing with it for 28 years.  some months are worse than others.  it usually just lasts a few days but is miserable.  it can begin a few days before my period starts or during my period.  it seems to be a hereditary thing.  my mother and grandmother had the same problem and my daughter also seems to have it.  i've asked doctors about it and nobody seems to have any clue.  i feel like i can't take a deep enough breath.  i have to make myself yawn or lean over (in a tripod position) to be able to take a deep enough breath.  

[Zimzima89]

Hi guys.... I have started having the same ing since January as well... Four months now and it comes and goes and now I get panic attacks sometimes when it happens. Anyway, I spoke to a life coach I know very well and he told me to practice meditation at least for five minutes a day and to also do belly/ long deep breathing when it happens. I've started inhaling in to my belly, holding it for a seconds, then exhaling softly and I'm telling you, praise Jesus it calms it down SO MUCH!!! This definitely needs a cure though, since so many women are suffering with it!!! But, belly breathing helps a lot... Just patiently try it and see. Worst is to start panicking and exerting yourself by trying to take deep breaths... It makes it worse and you become anxious.... Calming my self down and belly breathing for a few minutes helps me breath normal again! Try it I promise you it helps so much!!! I think this has to do with our hormones...

[Weeze990]

I have exactly the same symptoms as everyone that has posted on here… I was diagnosed with endometriosis about 5/6 years ago and shortness of breath before/during/after a period is one of the symptoms.
I went back and forth to my doctor about this and she did not put 2 and 2 together and until i researched this myself and mentioned it to her… the penny then dropped!!

Research shortness of breath with endometriosis and you may get some answers… Good luck

[KCR08]

I experienced this really badly a little over a year ago. Now, I'm experiencing it again. I'm a few days out from my period and this has been going on for about a week. I find that Magnesium helps slightly but although this isn't a panic attack (which I have had plenty of) focusing on my breathing only makes it worse. I found when googling that many women have posted the same type of symptoms when on birth control and I think it was one of mine for the few months I was ever on ocps. I also have an inhaler which doesn't seem to do anything for this (I have it for cold, dry weather). Just try and keep your mind occupied as much as possible so you don't focus on it and try and breathe as normally as you can.

[k82002]

incredible how common it seems here...through the years of posts on this strand...why don't doctors know more?  Don't they listen?  I just got my heart checked due to feeling very faint, feeling too tired to finish my sentences without running out of breath, arms feeling very heavy, achy neck like I got a deep tissue massage and all doc found was a couple of skipped beats but "nothing to worry about".  I'm very glad, but WTH?  What is causing this once a month?  Isn't there a clear diagnosis and understanding of the exacts in these cases, from doctors yet?  

[BC79]

I have been suffering the same symptoms as most of the posts here, shortness of breath, at times my heart rate seems to speed up and my neck & back are always terrible at the same time. Been seeing my chiropractor (a young woman) who says my diaphragm was sitting too high & stress plays a big factor along with hormones.
Read some info from DR Libby Weaver, who discusses these female hormone imbalances in her books- in particular in Beauty from the inside out, and you will see a lot of these symptoms are common if our female sex hormones need balancing. Still resolving my issues but at least it is good to see we aren't alone. Worth tracking down someone who looks at these issues in a holistic manner. Interestingly I started to have these issues a few days after my daughter was born 5 years ago & have been getting it sporatically ever since. Doctors checked lungs & heart and feel that it is probably anxiety or otherwise havent much of a clue.

[BC79]

I have been suffering the same symptoms as most of the posts here, shortness of breath, at times my heart rate seems to speed up and my neck & back are always terrible at the same time. Been seeing my chiropractor (a young woman) who says my diaphragm was sitting too high & stress plays a big factor along with hormones.
Read some info from DR Libby Weaver, who discusses these female hormone imbalances in her books- in particular in Beauty from the inside out, and you will see a lot of these symptoms are common if our female sex hormones need balancing. Still resolving my issues but at least it is good to see we aren't alone. Worth tracking down someone who looks at these issues in a holistic manner. Interestingly I started to have these issues a few days after my daughter was born 5 years ago & have been getting it sporatically ever since. Doctors checked lungs & heart and feel that it is probably anxiety or otherwise havent much of a clue.