Hot Girl Summer: Midlife Style

Trust me on this... when you're in perimenopause or menopause, "hot girl summer" takes on a whole new meaning. While hot flashes are common during this phase of life and occur throughout the year - combining the summer heat and humidity can make a summer day feel like you're living in an inferno.

It's not in your head!  According to the Mayo Clinic, fluctuating estrogen levels cause the hypothalamus to become more sensitive to temperature changes. This is what triggers hot flashes. It can also explain why we may find that we are less tolerant of extreme temperatures than we used to be.

Are hot flashes more frequent during the summer?  One small study did show an increase in hot flashes and nightsweats during June and July, but for the most part the jury is still out on this.  There is one thing we can all agree on though. If it's already 90⁰ and humid when a hot flash starts - it is just going to feel that much more intense. 

So, what can we do to keep our cool during hot girl summer season? Here are a few tips that might help:

• Keep your home cool. Run  your air conditioning and use fans to circulate the air. Close the blinds and curtains to reduce heat gain from sunlight. 

• Wear light, breathable fabrics such as linen and cotton.  Avoid tight, restrictive clothing.

• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods. These can trigger or worsen hot flashes.  Drink plenty of water.

• Use cooling products.  From cooling wraps (or towels) and eye masks to bracelets, even cooling gel pads to wear in your bra - there are many products on the market designed to help lower your body heat.

• Talk to your doctor.  Hormone replacement or low-dose antidepressants can help ease or eliminate hot flashes associated with perimenopause/menopause. 

Perimenopause in the summer may feel like nature turned the heat up just for you, but you’re not alone, and you’re definitely not powerless. With a little planning, a lot of water, and maybe a fan in every room, you can stay cool and feel more like yourself. Listen to your body, and don’t be afraid to slow down when you need to. This season of life—and this season of the year—might be intense, but so are we!

What's your best tip for staying cool when summer and perimenopause turn up the heat?