As the cold days of winter approach, many women can’t remember why they dread that time of year so much. Then it all comes back to them. Winter is one of those seasons when their menstrual cycle goes haywire. Their irritability is off the charts, their menstrual pain seems to be worse than normal, and their periods seem longer. In fact there are similar issues when the weather turns warmer. There are some physical reasons why this occurs. Let’s take a deeper dive into seasonal changes and their impact on gynecological health.
How Does Winter Affect Menstrual Health?
Less sunshine in winter significantly affects our menstrual cycle. It causes the thyroid and endocrine system to slow down making the metabolism slow down as well as leading to longer periods.
FSH less-follicle stimulating hormones secreted during winter compared to summertime leads to longer periods. The mixture of decreases in ovulation and longer cycles during winter can be due to hormonal imbalance in winter.
Weakened Immune Systems
For many women, winter causes immune systems to be weaker than normal. Therefore we are more susceptible to colds and viruses. The lining of the uterus is part of your immune system and those changes can affect your period.
PMS Symptoms
These symptoms can be worse during the cold winter months. You spend less time outdoors with less sunlight and get less Vitamin D which affects your mood and calcium levels in your body. All this can trigger PMS. You also tend to be less active and eat more food during the cold winter months which can impact PMS.
Pain
You may also have noticed that your cramps are more severe during winter. The cause may be that your blood vessels compress when it’s cold interfering with blood flow and increasing period pain.
Tips For Managing Menstrual Issues in Winter
- Use a heating pad to reduce pain
- Stay active as sunlight helps
- Avoid foods that cause bloating as this can help with cramps
- Stay hydrated
How Does Summer Affect Menstrual Health?
For many women having their period in the summer heat is even worse than winter. However, every woman is different.
Hormones are still at work. They may become unbalanced due to many outside influences.
- Stress from the heat
- Not sleeping or disrupted sleep patterns
- Heat causing fatigue and discomfort
- Irritability
Any of these typical summer issues can affect the length and the intensity of your menstrual flow.
Tips For Managing Menstrual Issues in Summer
- Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water or you can easily become dehydrated. If you sweat too much, it is easy to lose electrolytes and minerals which can affect the timing of your menstrual cycle.
- Exercise is beneficial, but don’t overdo it.
- Avoid salty foods in the summer.
- Practice stress and relaxation techniques. Ask your doctor for suggestions.
- Wear only loose comfortable cotton- rich fabrics.
- Tuck extra pads or tampons in your purse when you are out.
- Avoid yeast infections by changing out of wet bathing suits into dry cotton panties as soon as possible.
- Everyone can enjoy the change of seasons with a little planning.
Contact Capital Women’s Care in DC
Contact board-certified OBGYNs at (202) 331-9293 to schedule an appointment for additional tips and recommendations for managing your gynecologic health.
Sources:
The Impact of Summer Heat on Menstrual Cycles – Cheyenne Mountain Gynecology
Managing Menstrual Symptoms in Hot Weather – Capital Women’s Care (obgyncapitalwomenscare.com)
