Are hot flashes followed by feeling cold related to MS or hormones?
Yes, both MS and hormones can cause these temperature swings, and they might even be working together. Many people with MS experience this frustrating pattern of overheating and then feeling cold.
MS can affect your body's temperature regulation in Show Full Answer
Are hot flashes followed by feeling cold related to MS or hormones?
Yes, both MS and hormones can cause these temperature swings, and they might even be working together. Many people with MS experience this frustrating pattern of overheating and then feeling cold.
MS can affect your body's temperature regulation in several ways:
- Lesions in the hypothalamus (the brain's temperature control center) can disrupt how your body maintains its core temperature
- Damage to myelin can make it harder for your nervous system to send proper signals about temperature
- Your central nervous system has to work harder to regulate body temperature, which can lead to fluctuations
A MyMSTeam member shared: "I can go from borderline hypothermic freezing to streaking through my house with an ice pack strapped to my rear."
If you're experiencing menopause or perimenopause, hormonal changes add another layer. Hot flashes from declining estrogen can temporarily worsen MS symptoms, especially fatigue and bladder issues. The combination of MS-related temperature sensitivity and hormonal hot flashes can create an even more challenging situation.
It's worth discussing both possibilities with your neurologist and potentially your gynecologist to figure out what's driving your symptoms and find the best management approach.
February 16
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