The Real Reason Your Period May Change During The Winter

Cold weather can bring on a lowered mood for a few reasons, and one of them may be your period. A new batch of evidence shows that winter weather lifestyles may be to blame for longer ovulation times and altered PMS symptoms. While the weather itself may not be the reason for the change, the slower pace during the colder months may be the answer.

If you've thought that your period was tougher on your body during the winter before, you may have been onto something. Dr. Alyssa Dweck tells Byrdie that, "a change in diet, exercise, activities and stress levels that accompany the change of seasons might [affect your period symptoms]. In other words, cold weather and menstrual changes may occur simultaneously, but are likely associated, rather than cause and effect."

With lower levels of vitamin D and less active lifestyles, your cycle may be impacted by your change in state. Plus, the outlet adds, lower levels of vitamin D can alter your serotonin and dopamine count, which affect your moods.

With the various lifestyle changes and energy-level shifts, they can end up impacting the length of your cycle. Dr. Preethi Daniel explains to Cosmopolitan, "One paper published in 2011 discovered increased hormone secretion, increased frequency of ovulation and shorter cycles by 0.9 days in the summer compared with winter." Depending on how much your lifestyle changes throughout the seasons, it may be a part of the shift. 

Plus, many women who exercise on a frequent basis report having reduced PMS symptoms than those who live sedentary lifestyles. In the winter, when motivation wanes, this can even lead to higher levels of bloating, fatigue, and cramps, Cosmopolitan notes. Luckily, you can stay on top of these changes to make sure they don't derail you when your next cycle comes around. In order to combat these experiences, Dr. Dweck recommends, "Modifying your diet, increasing exercise and using an over-the-counter medication like Midol can be super helpful to combat these PMS symptoms and winter blues."

Even if it's just for a few moments, try to move or stretch your body and get as much sunlight as you can — it may make a noticeable difference.