DD fainting with periods

[WhereAreWeNow]

Not sure if this is the best place to post. DD (12) just started her periods last month. She's only had 2 periods so far and both times she's experiencing dizziness and feeling faint. This morning she actually did faint which was pretty scary as she's never fainted before and nor have I so I've got no experience of it.
I'll take her to the GP once normal GP services resume but wondered if MNers had any words of wisdom or reassurance in the meantime?
Does anyone else have any experience of fainting with periods? Any tips on how to prevent it? I'm worried about how we'll manage it when she's back at school in September.

Definitely make an appointment with a gp. Most likely it's low blood pressure and/or low iron as many others have said. I also experienced that.

In the first instance, I'd give her Spatone (liquid iron supplement). Definitely ensure she's eating and drinking at regular intervals, particularly during her period. A hot shower before breakfast is unlikely to be good for someone suffering with low blood pressure. Supposedly some salt can help with low blood pressure but I've never really figured out how to make that work - a packet of crisps? Doesn't seem very practical or healthy! . Biltong (dried meat, usually heavily salted with added spice) might be a somewhat better choice - protein, iron and salt - as a snack.

I fainted for the first few years of my periods, as did my mother before me. It was just seen as one of those things, and also sometimes convenient for avoiding boring classes
I was put on the pill at 16 to help with pain and heaviness/duration of my periods. It did help massively but I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 37 so I think I'd be cautious about early oral contraceptives now.

Ah Bling

A Saffer here, I did want to mention biltong too, but I wasn't sure how available that is in UK.

Thank you Willow. They diagnosed my dd with vasovagal syncope which is just a general term really, but they did not ever explain why it is worse during a cycle like you have.

I used to faint at the start of each period OP. It happened a few times at school much to my embarrassment. It got gradually worse from when they started (at 11) until around 14 when it was disruptive enough to go to the GP and I went on oral contraceptive. It regulated my cycle then totally stopped periods completely so I stayed on it for quite a while.

During my second c section (at age 33) the surgeon asked if I had endometriosis. He said he could see adhesions on the outside of my womb! I have never been diagnosed with it and got pregnant fairly easily twice.

This was me at that age, in school if period started I’d faint just sat at desk. One minute I’d be sat there next I’d be on the floor, I’d be as white as a ghost. Also bad period pains, 2 paracetamol sorted that and hit water bottle.
I was known for being in the sick room and fainting in class. In my day though it wasn’t talked about as much as it is now, and I was quite shy and would dismiss it if teacher asked was it my period.

If it’s happened after a bath or shower, I’d say low blood pressure?

I’ve fainted quite a lot in my years, not nice feeling at all!! Thinking back to my episodes
I’d say either not enough food in the morning
Or defo low blood pressure.
You can get blood pressure tested in pharmacy, having said that thou it probably back to normal

@isthismylifenow its fairly easily accessible in London. Some butchers do it as well all over the UK (sometimes it's pitched as Jerky in which case you have to check to see how it's made as jerky is a bit different and super disgusting_ )

I also used to faint with periods when I was a teenager and in my early 20s. I took Ponstan Forte for years, which was brilliant, and then for a few years was either pregnant or breastfeeding.

First period back after stopping breastfeeding was awful. I fainted while in the loo and woke up wedged against the radiator with a burned face! The month after things had settled down and I never had any more trouble.

Thanks all. Especially good to hear from Willow as a GP. Yes she is very tall and slim. 172cm tall and very willowy.

She refused to have a shower yesterday because she was scared it would happen again. I'll try to coax her in to the shower after breakfast and keep a chair nearby.