Hot Flashes Before Your Period

You may think hot flashes are something you only experience as you approach or go through menopause. But did you know you can get them during your reproductive years too?

Some women notice them before they get their period each cycle, while others may feel there are other causes at play. In this article we’ll unpack hot flashes, what might cause them, and ways you can try to make them more manageable.

What Are Hot Flashes Before Your Period?

Typically, hot flashes are quite short, but intense, feelings of warmth – often accompanied by physical flushing, sweating, and a racing heart. Sometimes, they’re also followed by chills once the heat subsides. 

You might quickly feel overcome with a sudden feeling of uncomfortable heat, and they can happen at any time of day. Hot flushes at night before period are also known as night sweats, and can disrupt your sleep, especially if they’re persistent or intense.

Many women will experience hot flashes at some time in their lives, whether it be due to menopause, PMS, or other potential causes.

Can Ovulation Cause Hot Flashes?

You may experience hot flashes during and around ovulation. Whereas PMS hot flashes occur in the days before your period, they may occur midway through your cycle if they’re ovulation-related.

This can be due to an increased sensitivity to hormonal fluctuations in the mid-cycle phase, and a general increase in body temperature following ovulation due to increased progesterone levels, which can lead to changed thermoregulation. A basal body thermometer can help detect this slight temperature rise post-ovulation.

Hot Flash PMS: Why It Happens and What It Means

Having hot flashes or night sweats before period can be a common PMS symptom for some women, often linked to estrogen and progesterone fluctuations, which affect the hypothalamus, your brain’s temperature-regulating center. 

If you’d like to learn more about your hormone changes throughout your cycle and the impact they may have for you, you could try using a hormone tracker. The Mira’s Hormone Monitor, alongside the Mira App and test Wands can track estrogen and progesterone metabolites in urine: E3G and PdG and LH and FSH fluctuations, which are key to understanding hormone-related temperature dysregulation.

While excessive sweating before period can be a part of PMS, it could also be an indicator of perimenopause. But don’t worry– understanding the difference between PMS hot flashes and perimenopause symptoms often comes down to your age.

Hot Flashes During Period in 20s

Hot flashes in your 20s are rarely due to perimenopause, which won’t typically begin until your late thirties and forties. Instead, it’s likely to be due to shifting hormone levels during your period.

Sometimes, it can also be linked to certain medications, or feelings of anxiety or stress. Try to think if this is something that could be causing this for you.

If you’re experiencing unusual changes and you’re not sure why, it’s handy to track them. This helps you see when they occur and if you decide to consult a doctor, it can give them some context when reaching a diagnosis. Apps or calendars are a great way to do this with accuracy and ease, including our very own Mira App.

Hot Flashes Before Period in 30s

If you’re noticing hot flashes before your periods in your thirties, there’s a chance that the above still applies to you, but it could also be a sign of early perimenopause, particularly if they occur alongside other unusual changes.

Perimenopause is a time when your body begins to transition into menopause, and some early symptoms include hot flashes, along with irregular periods, vaginal dryness, and insomnia. 

But what about POI? Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) is associated with irregular or missed periods, infertility, and persistently low estrogen levels before the age of 40. 

POI is diagnosed through blood tests showing elevated FSH and low estrogen levels, as well as low AMH levels and through pelvic ultrasound detecting antral follicle count. If you’re concerned about whether your hot flashes are linked to unusual hormone irregularities, hormone testing is an option that can help give you some clarity.

Could It Be Early Menopause or POI?

Other Causes of Hot Flashes During Your Period

Thyroid Disorders

Thyroid disorders can be another common cause of hot flashes. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can impact how your body regulates temperature. Here’s how:

• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid): speeds up your metabolism and can lead to heat intolerance, sweating, a rapid heartbeat, and hot flash-like symptoms.

• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid): leads to an intolerance to cold temperatures and sluggish thermoregulation.

If hot flashes are persistent, accompanied by other thyroid symptoms, and seem unrelated to your periods, thyroid testing may be a necessary next step. Our Panorama Lab Test could be a great option to provide early insights if you’re considering seeking a diagnosis.

Anxiety or Panic Attacks

Sometimes, adrenaline surges during anxiety or panic attacks may feel similar to hot flashes, especially as they can also trigger flushed skin, sweating, and a racing heart.

Unlike hormone-related hot flashes triggered by estrogen changes, anxiety-related heat episodes tend to be linked to emotional stress and feelings of panic. Hormonal mood shifts in PMS or PMDD can also heighten anxiety themselves, making it harder again to differentiate between the two.

Medications and Infections

Several medications can trigger hot flashes as a side effect, including SSRIs, niacin, opioids, as well as certain antibiotics. 

It’s also important to note that certain infections such as tuberculosis or viral fevers can also elevate body temperature, disrupting typical thermoregulation and consequently leading to feelings of hot flashes and night sweats.

If fever is present, the cause is likely not hormonal. If you’re noticing persistent or unexplained hot flashes, consider consulting your doctor to review your medications and see whether there’s any potential infection at play. 

Pregnancy Hot Flashes

Pregnancy brings many changes to a woman’s body, throughout all three trimesters and into postpartum too. 

Changes to estrogen and progesterone levels in pregnancy can cause hot flashes, which are most common in the first and third trimesters. These are normally a harmless and normal part of pregnancy, but can be startling if you’re not used to them.

If you’re trying to conceive or are newly pregnant and are dealing with these hot flashes, the Mira Prenatals offer supportive nutrients, helping you gently manage and live with these changes.

Cancer, Tumors, and Rare Endocrine Disorders

In some cases, certain rare tumors, such as pituitary tumors, adrenal tumors, or pheochromocytomas, can disrupt normal hormone production and trigger vasomotor symptoms, including hot flashes. 

This may sound alarming, but these conditions are uncommon and typically present with other distinct symptoms, and are not usually the primary cause if you’re experiencing hot flashes on their own.

How to Manage Hot Flashes

Hot Flashes Before Your Period: 7 Practical Steps

Step 1: Exercise and Move Regularly

Low- to moderate-intensity exercise can help regulate hormones and reduce stress, both of which are tied to hot flash frequency and intensity. Walking, yoga, swimming, or even cycling are all great options.

On the other hand, try to avoid high-heat or high-intensity workouts, particularly if they tend to trigger episodes.

Step 2: Stay Hydrated and Eat Smart

Keeping your body cool and nourished is always beneficial, but even more so if you’re experiencing excessive sweating before period. 

Try drinking cold water throughout the day, and prioritize nutrient-dense meals rich in whole grains, leafy greens, and healthy fats. Where possible, try to limit processed foods, sugar, and heavy meals that may spike insulin or body heat.

Step 3: Identify and Avoid Your Personal Triggers

Identifying the things that bring on your hot flashes can be hugely beneficial.

Although it varies greatly for women, common triggers include spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, smoking, emotional stress, and tight clothing. Try and switch things out of your diet and lifestyle to see what could be triggering your hot flushes before period, and find what helps you remain comfortable where possible. You could even keep a symptom journal or use a cycle tracker such as the Mira App to spot patterns.

Step 4: Explore Natural Remedies (With Caution)

Not all natural methods work for everyone, but some people do find relief through food and herbs. Here are some key natural remedies that might help you:

Soy: Soy contains phytoestrogens, which may mimic estrogen in the body and reduce hot flashes. To increase your soy intake, try including tofu, tempeh, soy milk, or edamame into your diet.

Black Cohosh: Black cohosh and evening primrose oil are commonly used to help with hot flashes, but some herbs have anecdotal or mixed evidence regarding true proven relief.

Try to prioritize whole foods over supplements unless advised by your doctor, and remember to always check for side effects or medication interactions – especially if you have liver issues or hormone-sensitive conditions.

Step 5: Use Simple Cooling Strategies

Sometimes, managing your hot flashes can simply come down to temperature control.

Dressing in layers and choosing breathable fabrics like cotton can make things more comfortable and are easy to adjust for changing body temperatures. You could also try keeping a fan nearby or sleeping with a cool compress or chilled towel for some added comfort.

If hot flashes at night before period are an issue, it could be worth trying moisture-wicking bedding or wearable cooling products to make sleep more comfortable for you.

Step 6: Track Your Patterns and Hormonal Shifts

Understanding your personal cycle is key to understanding what’s going on inside. Consider using a hormone or period tracking app such as the Mira App to monitor symptom timing, and also log stress levels, food intake, and daily temperature to find your personal patterns.

This data can also be helpful for your healthcare provider to better understand your cycle and lifestyle, if necessary.

Treatment for Hot Flashes Before Period

For some people, especially those with frequent or disruptive hot flashes PMS, medical treatment may be beneficial, ideally under the supervision of a healthcare provider. Let’s discuss some options.

Over-the-Counter Relief Options

For mild relief from hot flashes, some women opt for simple OTC options like antihistamine or NSAIDs, although these aren’t specific, targeted treatments. 

Other helpful and accessible options include cooling sprays, wearing sweat-wicking fabric and sleepwear, and taking magnesium supplements, which may help promote mood balance and naturally regulate your body temperature.

Hormone Therapy (With Caution)

Hormone therapy, such as estrogen or combined hormone treatments with progestin or progesterone, aren’t typically prescribed solely for PMS-related hot flashes unless perimenopause or POI is suspected.

These therapies may involve safety risks, including risk of breast cancer, stroke, and blood clotting disorders. Therefore, a thorough medical evaluation is essential before considering this option. Always consult your doctor to decide the safest and most effective approach.

Prescription Medications

Prescription medications for hot flashes include SSRIs (such as paroxetine and escitalopram), as well as SNRIs (like venlafaxine) – which have all been shown to reduce the frequency of hot flashes.

A newer, non-hormonal option, Fezolinetant (Veozah), is also an approved choice for menopausal hot flashes, and may also be considered for off-label use in some cases. In resistant or severe cases, gabapentin or clonidine are also sometimes used off-label to manage symptoms.

Should I See a Doctor About Hot Flashes Before Period?

If you’re noticing a hot body temperature before period, it’s a good idea to see your doctor, particularly if it’s persistent, disrupting your sleep or daily life, or accompanied by other potential warning signs such as unexplained weight loss, insomnia, or irregular periods.

Our Hormone Health Clinic for Fertility is ideal for some extra guidance and support if you’re experiencing irregular cycles, early perimenopause symptoms, or trying to conceive with hormone imbalances.

The Takeaway: Are Hot Flashes Before Period Normal?

Feeling hot before period can be a normal premenstrual symptom, particularly due to normal hormonal shifts, including a drop in estrogen during the premenstrual time.

However, other factors such as anxiety, thyroid disorders, certain medications or even perimenopause can also be at play. In many cases, hot flashes and night sweats before period can be more manageable with some lifestyle switches and OTC support, with prescription medication being an option if symptoms are severe.

Always remember to seek support from your doctor if symptoms persist, affect your daily life, or are accompanied by irregular bleeding, insomnia, or unexpected weight loss. With the right support, you can confidently manage your premenstrual hot flashes and support your hormonal health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I feel hot on my period?

Feeling hot during your period can be normal, often due to low estrogen during this time.

Is it common to experience hot flashes before menopause?

Yes, experiencing hot flashes before menopause is normal, as estrogen levels begin to fluctuate.

Is it common to experience hot flashes during perimenopause but not menopause?

Yes, many women experience hot flashes during perimenopause and notice they decrease or stop altogether once they reach menopause.