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Review
. 2025 Aug 9;17(8):e89705.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.89705. eCollection 2025 Aug.

Therapeutic Management of Vestibular Disorders During Pregnancy: A Narrative and Evidence-Based Review

Melissa Castillo-Bustamante  1   2 , Anita Bhandari  3   4 , Neşe Çelebisoy  5 , Susan L Whitney  6 , Michelle R Petrak  7   8 , Maria N Campo-Campo  9
Affiliations
Review

Therapeutic Management of Vestibular Disorders During Pregnancy: A Narrative and Evidence-Based Review

Melissa Castillo-Bustamante et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Vestibular disorders such as vestibular migraine (VM), benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Ménière's disease (MD), persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD), and vestibular neuritis (VN) are not uncommon among women of reproductive age and may occur or worsen during pregnancy. However, the management of these disorders during gestation is complicated by physiological changes, the limited safety data on many medications, and ethical constraints in clinical research involving pregnant individuals. This review focuses on the therapeutic strategies employed in managing vestibular disorders during pregnancy, highlighting pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, evidence-based approaches, current limitations, and areas requiring further research. Emphasis is placed on safety profiles, individualized care, and interdisciplinary collaboration to optimize maternal health while minimizing fetal risk.

Keywords: dizziness diagnosis; pregnancy; vestibular assessment; vestibular disorders; vestibular testing.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: Anita Bhandari declare(s) other services from NeuroEquilibrium Diagnostic Systems Private Limited. Dr. Anita Bhandari is a director at NeuroEquilibrium Diagnostic Systems Private Limited, Jaipur, India. The research was conducted in absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Li maneuver in a pregnant woman
The figure has not been published in any other media or journals. Permissions obtained from the patient. Photo authored by Dr. Susan Whitney, co-author of this article, as a contribution to this publication.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Li Quick maneuver in a pregnant woman
The figure has not been published in any other media or journals. Permissions obtained from the patient. Photo authored by Dr. Susan Whitney, co-author of this article, as a contribution to this publication.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Guffoni maneuver in a pregnant woman
The figure has not been published in any other media or journals. Permissions obtained from the patient. Photo authored by Dr. Susan Whitney, co-author of this article, as a contribution to this publication.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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