Oh, summer. Days spent by the pool or maybe up at the lake, enjoying the sun and some swimming. And while we’ve given you tips for how to enjoy any beach day while on your period, the truth is that many of us just plain don’t feel like it. There’s something about being on your period during summer that just feels worse. But why is that? Grab some SPF as we shine some light on why periods feel worse in summer.
Does Hot Weather Make Period Symptoms Worse?
There are a few reasons why your period may feel worse in the summer, but it’s not strictly the heat. Let’s get into them!
Heat, Hydration & Bloating
Fluctuations in your hormones at the start of your cycle can make you more prone to dehydration. When that happens, your body tries to hold on to the water it does have, which causes bloating. And if that isn’t bad enough, lack of hydration—made worse by the heat—can make you feel lightheaded or even get headaches. Not exactly a recipe for summer fun! Thankfully, if you keep your water bottle topped up can you mitigate a lot of these effects.
Restless Summer Nights
As much as we idealize long summer evenings in our minds, we can’t deny that more light and hotter temperatures aren’t ideal for getting a good night’s rest. Your hormone fluctuations are also to blame for increased levels of fatigue. And, of course, intense cramps can make it harder to sleep.
Because there is such a range of issues that can cause tiredness on your period, it’ll take a full arsenal of remedies. Take ibuprofen before bed or try these natural cramp remedies. Block out your windows and take a cool shower right before bed to try and beat the heat. If you’re still finding yourself to be tired, just take it easy for the week!
Vitamin D & Shorter Cycles
Whether you’re the type to obsessively track your period in an app or you go old school with a calendar, you may notice your period is slightly shorter in the summer. (Even people with regular periods can have their cycle vary in length by a day or two.) There is some research to suggest that Vitamin D affects the follicular phase of your cycle. Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that we gain from both foods we eat and from the sun. The logic is that the more Vitamin D we get from the sun, the shorter our cycles are. Therefore, it can feel like you have your period (very slightly) more often during the summer months.
Making the Most of You Summer While Menstruating
No matter whether you feel like your period symptoms are worse in the summer or simply business as usual, we want you to have a healthy and comfortable period. Having extra cool showers and using internally-worn period protection like a menstrual cup may be just the ticket! Check our article on having a healthy period for more tips.