Why am I always so clumsy before my period!?

You’ve noticed it tends to happen just before your period.

& you’re not imagining it.

The feeling of being uncoordinated or off-balance in the days leading up to your bleed is actually a real, hormonally influenced experience.

Here’s why it happens and what’s going on under the surface.

1. Progesterone affects your brain and body

During the Luteal phase (the two weeks after ovulation, before your next period), progesterone rises.

This hormone is calming in some ways, but it can also slow reaction time, dull focus, and alter spatial awareness.

That slightly foggy, dreamlike state? It’s not only tiredness, it’s your brain under the influence of rising progesterone. Combined with fluctuating oestrogen, (which gives this late cycle phase it's nickname "the high hormone phase" due to high levels of both these hormones) and it’s a recipe for feeling slightly out of sync with your movements..!

2. Core temperature increases = subtle physical changes

The subtle increase in basal body temperature following ovulation (through the duration of the luteal phase), while the change is small (around 0.3–0.5°C), it’s enough to influence:

• Grip strength

• Balance

• Coordination

• Fine motor control

It’s why some women report being less steady in workouts or a little “off” in activities requiring agility, like yoga, running, or even driving.

3. Sleep quality takes a dip

In the late Luteal phase, deep sleep is harder to come by (read about sleep differences through the cycle here). You may experience more light sleep and night wakings, especially if your body temperature stays elevated.

Poorer sleep = slower reaction times, reduced alertness, and more mental fatigue. All of which can make us feel clumsy, forgetful, or just not quite yourself...

4. Blood sugar fluctuations

In this phase, insulin sensitivity drops, meaning your body doesn’t mobilise sugars / utilise carbohydrates as efficiently. If you’re not eating often enough (aim for a little blood glucose bump / snack (high protein) every 2-3 hrs) , or skipping meals, this can cause low blood sugar, which may lead to:

• Dizziness

• Shaky hands

• Trouble focusing and shifting mental fog

• Increased chance of dropping things or stumbling

5. Sensory sensitivity and mental load

Heightened sensitivity before your period is real. You may find sounds more irritating, lights brighter, or your emotional responses more intense. (this is a primal response to the chance of you potentially being pregnant - so you're on high-alert to threats).

Add that to a full schedule or mental fatigue, and your brain can feel overwhelmed, which impacts physical precision.

So, what can you do?

• Fuel regularly. Don’t skip meals. Balanced snacks with protein and carbs support steady blood sugar and brain clarity.

• Prioritise sleep. Aim for wind-down time, lower light exposure at night, and avoid stimulants late in the day.

• Stretch and slow down. Choose mindful movement like walking, Pilates, or mobility flows.

• Hydrate. Dehydration can also impair motor coordination.

• Track your cycle. The more you know when this is coming, the more prepared you can be.

Feeling clumsy before your period doesn’t mean you’re “off”, it kinda does, but it mostly is because your body and brain are responding to a complex hormonal shift.

Give yourself margin, move a little slower, and remember: this is temporary, and totally normal.