Perimenopause and heat

[GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing]

Posting here for traffic.

Since I’ve been in perimenopause (on HRT for past few years) I’ve suffered alot from the heat. I’m in London/ SE and when it’s hot like at the moment I feel really unwell and totally unable to concentrate on work for longer than v short periods.

Does anyone else feel like this, and what do you do? I’ve got a fan on constantly but the only thing that actually helps is when it gets cooler in the evening, so I think it’s the heavy atmosphere as much as the temperature.

AIBU to find it impossible to get proper word done? The only thing I can thing of is taking a longer lunch as working into the evening, but that isn’t ideal with a teen and a tween to look feed etc (I’m ok today as tween with their dad and teen is out with a friend)

I have been getting flushed cheeks recently (burning from the inside) and the triggers are exercise, sunlight and alcohol.

I had a really good sunscreen on my face at the school Sports Day yesterday and kept getting shade but I had red cheeks in the evening from the actual sun and heat.

Run wrists under cold tap. I also use the ice packs you give to kids for a bump or a bruise.

I have a neck fan, a desk fan, little air con things for the bedside table/desk. Basically fans everywhere 😆 I spend as much time as possible in air-conditioned car too!

Ice packs on back of neck and wrists. Should cool you down nicely

I feel so ill with it is triggering migraines, it's horrific. And have various other health things going on (including urgent Cancer referral and awaiting hysterectomy) and I just can't cope work this too, it's like my body is beyond its ability to cope.

Meant to be in the office 2 days a week and haven't managed for a fortnight as it's just too much to cope with the 1.5hour public transport commute.

I got some Epsom salts with menthol and I dissolve them in boiling water then top up with cold and sitting with my feet in then makes things marginally better.

Solidarity

I have a pet cooling mat! lol. it works for me I sit on half of it and rest my back on the other half, it cools me down I have found it brilliant.

Yes I have become really intolerant to the heat in the last few years (am peri). To the point where I can barely function some days. As you say, the only thing that helps is when it gets cooler. Aircon would probably help but I don't have it! It was ok at the start of the week but the moment it goes past 25 degrees it kicks in...

I found fresh sage tea fantastic for this.
Old raggedy plant in the garden, make a pot of tea, let it cool, drank the whole pot.

Huge relief from sweats, body overheating etc.

I am exactly the same. I genuinely nearly pulled the car over the other day and rolled dh out because he had the nerve to say I had the AC on too high 😱 No one understands the suffering until you are one of the menopausal ones 😩

I use a pet one too and I also put it in the fridge! Lovely!