Does this sound familiar? It’s hot, you’re sweaty, and you’re cranky for no real reason. Your sleep’s a mess, and you’re starting to wonder if this is just summer … or something deeper. If you’re nodding, we get it – we’ve been there too.
If you tend to feel a little ‘off’ during the hot summer months, you’re not imagining it – your hormones might be the reason.
The truth is, the summer months can seriously throw our hormones out of balance, especially if you’re already dealing with PMS, perimenopause, menopause, or irregular cycles. The combination of heat, longer days, dehydration, and stress from trying to keep up with life can totally disrupt how your body functions.
In this first part of a two-part series, we’ll look at why heat affects your hormones. And in part two, we’ll explore natural, practical ways to support your body and bring things back into balance.
How heat messes with your hormones
When your body is under stress from heat, it triggers a hormonal chain reaction that can leave you feeling off – and not just because you’re sweaty and tired. Here’s how:
Cortisol spikes
Heat is a physical stressor. Your body responds by pumping out more cortisol (your stress hormone). High cortisol leads to fatigue, mood swings, and those sugar cravings that send you diving headfirst into the freezer for ice cream.
Dehydration
You lose more fluids through sweat in summer – and even if you’re sipping water, you might not be replacing lost electrolytes. Dehydration slows digestion and makes it harder for your liver to detox excess oestrogen, leading to bloating, foggy thinking, and sluggishness.
Disrupted sleep
Hot nights means broken sleep. Poor sleep throws off your oestrogen and progesterone balance – two key hormones that keep your mood stable, energy up, and periods manageable. No wonder you wake up snappy or feeling flat.
Inflammation increases
Heat can boost inflammation in the body. If you already struggle with PMS or perimenopause symptoms, you might notice that your bloating is worse, you’re getting more headaches or migraines, and you have a shorter fuse.
Mood takes a hit
Stack all of the above together, and it’s a recipe for brain fog, irritability, low motivation, and general ‘I’m not okay and I don’t even know why’ moments.
So if you’ve been feeling more tired, irritable, bloated, or just a bit off during the warmer months, know this – it’s not just in your head, and you’re not the only one. Your body is reacting to the heat, the longer days, and the added pressure summer can bring, all of which can throw your hormones out of sync.
Look out for part two, where we’ll explore simple, natural ways to cool your system down, rebalance your hormones, and help you feel more like yourself again – no matter how hot it gets. If you would like to know more about our range of natural digestive, gut and women’s health supplements, please get in touch.
