Question: It’s August, I’m on holiday, I should feel amazing… so why am I irritable, craving sugar, and waking up from the weirdest dreams? Could it be my hormones?
Answer: Yes — and here’s why. Even after menopause, your hormones don’t disappear. They simply shift into a new balance, and that balance is surprisingly sensitive to seasonal changes. August brings long daylight hours, hotter nights, changes in routine, and often, more alcohol and less consistent eating patterns. Each of these can disrupt how your hormones work — and how you feel.
Light and melatonin: Long summer evenings mean you produce melatonin (the sleep hormone) later at night, delaying sleep onset. For postmenopausal women, whose melatonin levels are already lower, this can magnify sleep disturbances and mood changes. Research in Chronobiology International (2019) shows that seasonal light exposure can shift circadian rhythms and alter hormone secretion patterns.
Heat and cortisol: Hot weather is a stressor. Your body works harder to regulate temperature, which raises cortisol (the stress hormone). Prolonged higher cortisol can leave you feeling wired, irritable, and craving quick energy from sugar or refined carbs.
Alcohol, diet, and blood sugar: Summer habits — more wine, more restaurant meals, less structured eating — can destabilise blood sugar. When blood glucose swings up and down, it can make existing oestrogen-progesterone imbalances feel worse, triggering fatigue and mood swings.
What to do: Keep your eating rhythm steady, even on holiday. Hydrate more than you think you need — dehydration intensifies cortisol’s effects. Include protein at every meal to stabilise blood sugar, and get bright light early in the day to anchor your body clock. In the evening, dim the lights and cool your bedroom to help melatonin do its job.
You can’t control the August sun, but you can help your hormones handle it better. And the reward? More energy, fewer cravings, and the ability to actually enjoy that holiday feeling without the emotional rollercoaster.