Hot, Bothered and Hormonal? Why You’re Feeling the Heat More Than Others, and What You Can Do About It

Hi Mobsters, It’s Leah here, founder of The House of Hormones and your weekly wellbeing expert!

 Is it just me, or does this heat personal? You step outside and feel like you’ve entered an oven, but somehow everyone else is calmly sipping iced coffee while you’re melting into your maxi dress. Sound familiar?

Truth is, our hormones play a huge role in how we regulate heat, and for many women, that internal thermostat feels wildly unreliable.

Whether you’re in perimenopause, dealing with postnatal hormone shifts, on your period, or simply existing in the second half of your cycle, your body is doing a lot behind the scenes, and it shows up as heat, irritability, and sleepless nights when the temperature climbs.

The key player here is estrogen. This clever hormone doesn’t just affect your mood or cycle, it helps regulate your body temperature by influencing the hypothalamus (the part of your brain that decides whether you're too hot or too cold).

When estrogen dips or fluctuates, like during perimenopause, PMS, or even ovulation, your brain can misread your actual temperature and trigger a cooling response (like sweating) even when you're not overheating. And when you are overheating? Let’s just say the result is double the drama. So, what can you do when the heat’s on and your hormones aren’t helping?

5 ways to Keep Your Cool, Literally!

1. Track Your Cycle. Your body naturally runs warmer after ovulation (thanks to progesterone), so if you’re in your luteal phase, don’t be surprised if you feel extra flushed. Knowing where you are in your cycle helps you plan accordingly, maybe move that outdoor lunch or prep an ice roller for bedtime.

2. Drink a Cup of Tea (Yes, Really) Surprisingly, a hot drink can help cool you down. Drinking something warm raises your core temperature just enough to trigger your body’s natural cooling response....sweating. As the sweat evaporates, you cool down. BUT!!!! This only works in dry, well-ventilated environments where sweat can actually evaporate. If you’re stuck in a muggy space with no airflow? You may just end up hotter. Opt for peppermint or herbal teas as caffeine can make things worse.

3. Hydrate and Add Electrolytes. Hot weather + hormonal shifts = dehydration central. Keep a bottle of water nearby and consider an electrolyte boost (especially if you're breastfeeding or exercising).

4. Target Cooling Points. A cold flannel on your wrists, back of the neck, or feet can work wonders. These pulse points help regulate core temperature quickly. A quick, easy fix that I used when pregnant was a baby wipe on my wrists or swollen ankles!

5. Dress Smart Light, breathable layers made from cotton or linen allow you to adapt when your body temp flips the script mid-morning. 

At The House of Hormones, we get it. You’re juggling the mental load, raising small humans, building careers, and trying to keep your cool, literally and figuratively. This isn’t about being dramatic, it’s biology. By understanding your body better, you can respond with care, not frustration.

So here's to cool heads, hydrated bodies, and hormones that don't completely hijack our summer. You’ve got this, and we’ve got you.

Enjoy the Sunshine ladies

Leah

THOH