Summer Heat Disrupts Menstrual Cycles, Affects Hormones and Hydration

Kathmandu. The summer season brings not only sweat and fatigue, but also disrupts the internal system of the body for many women.

Menstruation (periods) is generally considered a regular cycle, but excessive heat can disrupt this balance.

During summer, menstruation can occur earlier than usual, later than usual, or the bleeding can be different from normal. This is not just a coincidence but a natural reaction of the body due to rising temperatures, dehydration, and stress.

According to gynecologists, the effects of heat are not limited to respiratory or urinary problems; it also directly affects menstruation. Dehydration and rising temperatures cause fluctuations in hormones.

In fact, when the outside temperature rises, the body has to work harder to keep itself cool. In this process, hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which control menstruation, get affected.

During the summer days, many women experience changes in their menstrual flow. Some months, there is excessive bleeding, while in other months, the flow is very light. The main reason for this is dehydration and changes in blood circulation.

Dehydration can thicken the blood, and excessive heat stress can also affect the process of uterine contraction. Since the effect varies for each woman, such changes in flow are normal.

Dehydration and mental stress also play a big role in this process. Due to rapid dehydration in summer, problems like abdominal and back pain (cramps) increase during menstruation. In addition, heat increases the level of cortisol, or 'stress hormone', in the body, which increases mood swings, fatigue, and irritability. This is why many women feel more tired and experience emotional fluctuations during their periods in this season.

The direct effect of heat is also on sleep. Poor sleep further disrupts hormone balance. It's like a cycle where heat disrupts sleep, sleep affects hormones, and hormones affect menstruation.

Excessive heat also intensifies PMS (premenstrual syndrome) symptoms, including headaches, vomiting, body aches, and restlessness. However, these changes are not seen uniformly in all women.

In such a situation, women need to pay special attention to their daily routine. The most important thing is to prevent dehydration, for which at least 3 to 4 liters of water should be consumed throughout the day.

Consuming fruits like watermelon and cucumber, as well as natural drinks like coconut water and buttermilk, helps keep the body hydrated. Eating light meals, reducing caffeine intake (tea, coffee), getting adequate sleep regularly, and doing light exercise or yoga also provide great relief in balancing the body and reducing pain.

Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinions. Please consult your doctor or relevant expert, and do not consider this as medical advice.