Why Menopause Makes You Feel Like Your Thermostat Is Broken
Why Does Menopause Make Temperature Control So Difficult?
Menopause disrupts the body’s temperature regulation system by affecting estrogen’s role in the hypothalamus, the brain’s thermostat. Declining estrogen narrows the thermoneutral zone (the temperature range where you feel comfortable), making women more sensitive to small temperature changes and triggering hot flashes and night sweats even with minor fluctuations.
Dr. Kumar’s Take
Hot flashes aren’t just uncomfortable; they’re a sign that your body’s entire temperature regulation system has been thrown off balance by hormonal changes. Understanding this helps explain why some women feel freezing one minute and burning up the next during perimenopause and menopause. The good news is that hormone therapy can often restore normal temperature regulation by addressing the underlying estrogen deficiency that’s causing the problem.