How Seasons Affect Your Period (And What Your Body Is Trying to Tell You)

Have you noticed your period feeling different as the seasons change?
Maybe your flow feels heavier, your cramps seem worse, or PMS hits harder than usual.

You are not imagining it. Your body is responding to very real seasonal changes.

Why Do Periods Change with the Seasons

Our menstrual cycles are incredibly sensitive to shifts in our environment. Here is what is happening behind the scenes.

Light exposure affects your hormones

As the days get shorter, your body gets less natural light, which has a big impact on your hormones. Your internal body clock, or circadian rhythm, uses light to regulate melatonin, which helps you sleep, and serotonin, which boosts your mood. Less daylight means more melatonin and less serotonin, so you may feel more tired or emotionally flat.

These shifts can also affect estrogen and progesterone. Lower serotonin can make PMS feel stronger and even lower your pain threshold, so cramps may feel worse. Your cycle might also arrive a few days early or late as your body adjusts. A simple way to support yourself is to get natural daylight in the mornings, even for 10–15 minutes, or try a light therapy lamp if you spend most of the day indoors.

Temperature can make cramps worse

When the temperature drops, your body conserves heat by constricting blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to your pelvic area. This makes your uterine muscles work harder to shed the lining and can make cramps more painful.

Estrogen levels also dip just before and during your period, lowering your core temperature and making you feel colder overall. My Ayurvedic mum always said to avoid cold foods and water at this time, as they weaken digestion and make waste elimination harder, leading to bloating and heavier periods. Instead, stick to warm foods like soups and roasted vegetables, and drink warm water or herbal teas to support digestion and circulation.

Seasonal stress is real

Stress hormones play a major role in your cycle. When cortisol is high, it competes with progesterone, which normally helps you feel calm. This can make PMS symptoms like mood swings, breast tenderness, and fatigue feel worse.

September often feels busy, school is back, work projects ramp up, and festive planning begins. Your nervous system can stay “switched on,” which might make your cycle shorter or longer, or your PMS more intense. Managing stress with small habits like a short walk, deep breathing, or journaling before bed can help keep cortisol in check and your hormones balanced.

My Personal Hacks for This Season

Over the years, I’ve learned that little daily rituals make a huge difference to how my cycle feels in autumn and winter. Here are some of my favourites for keeping my hormones balanced:

• Broths and warming meals: I batch-make simple broths and soups and sip them throughout the week. They keep digestion strong and make me feel nourished from the inside out.

• Cacao hot chocolates: A cosy evening ritual. Cacao is full of magnesium, which helps ease cramps and supports relaxation.

• Staying warm: I keep cosy layers and socks on hand and use heat patches when I need them. It sounds simple, but staying physically warm helps circulation and keeps cramps at bay.

• Joyful moments: I make space for the little things that make me happy, whether that’s journaling, watching my favourite series, or popping into HomeSense to buy a tiny pumpkin for my office desk! 

These small acts remind me to slow down and enjoy the season rather than fight it. And I know so many of you in the KIKI & GREEN community have your own favourite rituals, I love when you share them with me.

How to Support Your Body This Season

As we have been talking to our community about these seasonal changes, we have seen clear patterns in what is helping women feel their best right now.

For heavier flows
Our Heavy pad sets have been very popular this season. They hold up to six to eight times more than disposables and can be worn for eight to twelve hours without leaks. The bamboo topper stays dry and soft, so you barely notice you are on your period.

For cramps
Our Heat Soothies™️ have been a bestseller since the weather turned colder. They give you over eight hours of natural, soothing warmth and let you get on with your day without being tied to a hot water bottle.

For seasonal stress
Our Goddess Rituals candle has been a favourite this month. It melts into a warm body oil and is perfect for creating a quiet moment of self-care to support hormone balance and help you rest more deeply.

The Bottom Line

Your period changing with the seasons is not a flaw. It is your body’s intelligent way of adapting to its environment.

When you understand what is happening, you can prepare and support your body — whether that means stocking up on pads for heavier flow, using heat patches for extra comfort, or making space for rest when PMS hits harder.

Your body is working hard for you every month. The more we listen to its signals, the easier each cycle becomes.

With love, 
Rupal x