SUMMER HEAT VS MOOD SHIFTS

VER found yourself snapping at the tiniest thing on a hot day or crying for no real reason right before your period—and wondering if the sun had anything to do with it? You're not alone. Turns out, when temperatures soar, our hormones don't exactly keep their cool.

- ARSHITA JAIN

"During extreme heat, hormone balance can be affected due to stress response in the body leading to increased cortisol and other stress hormones," says Dr Padmavathi Kapila, obstetrician and gynecologist. She further adds, "Heat and dehydration affect estrogen and progesterone levels, leading to sore breasts and fatigue."

It explains a lot, really. That dragging tiredness, the soreness, the emotional ups and downs that feel 10 times worse when it's blazing outside. "Hot weather can exacerbate premenstrual symptoms like bloating and fatigue, and cramps will worsen due to dehydration, increased stress, and electrolyte imbalance," she states. And if you're someone who already struggles with PMS, summer only adds fuel to the fire.