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When we think of female hormones, we usually associate them with the reproductive system — periods, pregnancy, and more. But the endocrine system — the network of glands that produces hormones — influences many other functions in the body. Some research even suggests it may play a role in motion sickness.
Nausea, headaches, dizziness, and vomiting are all common symptoms of motion sickness. These can be triggered by traveling in a car, boat, train, or airplane. They can also sneak up while watching an IMAX movie, riding a rollercoaster, using virtual reality, or even riding a camel. And studies show that women tend to be more susceptible than men (because, of course, we are).
So if you’ve experienced these symptoms and wondered why the men around you seem unaffected, you’re not alone. We're here to explain what causes motion sickness and what you can do to prevent it.
First, what is motion sickness?
Motion sickness is a general term that describes the symptoms we feel when what our eyes see doesn’t match the movement our body feels. Your vestibular system tells your body where it is in space, sensing changes in orientation and acceleration, and compares that information to what your eyes see.
“If I move my head to the left, my neck muscles say that I’ve moved my head to the left, and my eyes signal that the visual world has moved to the right,” explains Dr. John Golding, a professor and motion sickness researcher at the University of Westminster. By early childhood, your brain has sorted out what these changes in space should feel like, and stores that information — like a map — deep in your brain, Dr. Golding says.
If there’s a mismatch or conflict between the movement your body feels and what that map in your brain expects your eyes to see, or vice versa, your vestibular system signals that something is wrong, and that often leads to motion sickness.
Take sitting in a car, for example. If you’re in the passenger seat looking at your phone or reading a book, you may start to feel nauseous or dizzy. That’s because your vestibular system senses movement, but your eyes are focused on something stationary — which doesn’t match the brain’s expectations.
Because the symptoms come from unexpected mismatches, it’s not the intensity of the motion that matters, Dr. Golding explains. Typically, lower-frequency motions — like the rocking of a boat or even the gentle sway of riding a camel — are more likely to cause motion sickness. “Those very, very low-frequency motions aren’t expected by the brain because we don’t generate them,” Dr. Golding says.
Motion sickness and the menstrual cycle: What’s the connection?
Dr. Golding explains that while everyone is susceptible to motion sickness to some degree (only people without a functioning vestibular system are fully immune, age is the most well-established risk factor. Children between the ages of 8 and 10 are actually the most likely to experience it.
But studies have shown that sex plays a role too, with women more likely to report motion sickness symptoms than men. So, why is that?
Dr. Golding and other researchers have specifically explored the link between motion sickness and the menstrual cycle. What they found is that women tend to report increased motion sickness during or around their menstrual phase compared to other times in their cycle. Interestingly, women who take hormonal birth control report fewer symptoms, suggesting a possible link between hormones and motion sickness. However, more research is needed to confirm this connection.
It's also known that women are more likely to experience migraine, a condition affected by hormonal changes, especially the drop in estrogen that occurs before menstruation. Migraine is strongly associated with increased susceptibility to both motion sickness and vertigo.
While we don’t yet know for certain if female hormones are the main reason women tend to experience more motion sickness than men, it's clear they play a role. Other factors, like behavioral traits and posture, may also contribute. Still, we do know that female reproductive hormones influence gastrointestinal function and visceral perception — the way we feel and respond to sensations in the body — which likely contribute to the nausea, vomiting, headaches, and dizziness associated with motion sickness.
Motion sickness remedies
While the most foolproof way to avoid motion sickness is to be the one in control of the vehicle (when you’re anticipating the movement, you’re much less likely to get sick), that’s not always an option. Finding relief is all about prevention. So, let’s talk about how you can keep that awful nausea from car rides, boat trips, and more at bay.
Focus on the window
Looking at your phone or reading in the car increases your risk of motion sickness because your eyes are focused on something stationary while your body senses movement. Dr. Golding recommends sitting in the front passenger seat and watching the scenery outside to help your brain align what it sees with what your body feels.
Get used to it
Gradual exposure can help train your body to better tolerate motion. The more your brain gets used to the mismatched signals, the less likely it is to react with symptoms.
Placebo effects count, too
Interestingly, tools like acupressure wristbands, acupressure, motion sickness glasses, or even small vibrators placed near the ears may work — not because of how they’re designed, but because you believe they’ll help. And according to Dr. Golding, that belief can make a difference.
Try medication
Medications like Dramamine or scopolamine patches work by blocking the receptors involved in detecting motion mismatch. They’re proven to be effective, but timing matters — be sure to take them well before the motion begins for best results.
So, are women more prone to motion sickness?
If you’ve ever wondered why you feel queasy on a boat while the men around you don’t, you're not imagining it. Research suggests women are more susceptible to motion sickness, potentially due to hormonal fluctuations tied to the menstrual cycle. Conditions like migraine, which are also influenced by hormones, are another clue.
But the good news? You’re not powerless. Understanding how motion sickness works — and how your hormones might play a role — gives you a head start on managing it. With the right strategies, you can take control, feel better, and keep from missing out on life’s adventures.
Eliza Mattson is a journalism student at Northwestern University and a Rescripted editorial intern. She is primarily interested in health and science writing, but she also studies history and economics. When she’s not writing or studying, you can find her rewatching Speed for the millionth time or baking cookies.