Temperature Dysregulation
Difficulty maintaining comfortable body temperature, often swinging between feeling too hot and too cold, beyond typical hot flashes.
How to track
- Rate overall temperature comfort daily (too hot/comfortable/too cold).
- Log how often you adjust clothing or environment for temperature.
- Note if temperature swings happen independently of hot flashes.
- Track whether AC/heating changes affect you more than others.
- Record if symptoms worsen at certain times of day.
Common context
The hypothalamus (the brain's thermostat) is highly sensitive to estrogen. During perimenopause, fluctuating estrogen can disrupt temperature regulation beyond just hot flashes. Women may feel unable to find a comfortable temperature, constantly layering or removing clothing.
What to bring to a clinician
- How would you describe your temperature comfort throughout the day?
- Is this different from your typical hot flashes?
- Does environmental temperature affect you more than it used to?
- What strategies have you tried to manage it?
- Has thyroid function been checked recently?